"To that end, Alaska and Horizon would be forced to consider supplementing our Sea-Tac operation with a significant schedule of flights from Boeing Field," Ayer and Pinneo said.

Carriers oppose any major airline relocating operations to Boeing Field

Definitely an interesting statement.


--I can paste the full text if the link doesn't work.

[Edited 2005-06-23 00:08:36]

Is anyone else a bit intrigued by the striking similaries between this AS/QX/SEA vs. WN/BFI tussle and the AA/DFW vs. WN/DAL situation down in Dallas/Fort Worth?

Hmmm I can see QX going to BFI but AS? I think there are too many connections for AS PAX. As stated in the article it would

“represent a major setback in Puget Sound area air service development. It would also have a profoundly negative impact on Alaska and Horizon, as well as our employees and the many customers we serve who are residents of King County.”

Anyone check out their new Designed website ? just noticed it http://www.alaskaair.com

[Edited 2005-06-23 01:08:12]

I was waiting for this to be announced. AS/QX have been very successful competing against WN out of SEA, but if WN were able to move to BFI and significantly reduce their operating costs, to protect their O&D market share, AS/QX would have no choice but to respond and shift some of their BOI, GEG, SJC & OAK flights. They would also have to make a call whether the O&D traffic on the rest of the competing markets (LAS, RNO, PHX & SMF) justified shifting some of those as well.

I can understand WN's concern about the rising costs of operating at SEA, but in this case I don't have a lot of sympathy. WN has been a willing participant in all of the planning for SEA's expansion, and while the cost increases are hurting everyone, splitting service between two airports 15 miles apart is not the answer.

Rgds
Duane

Is BFI really ready for commercial air service? Even if there is the terminal space, are rental car companies, hotel shuttles, public transportation links ready to support this?

Also (Seattle residents help me out) wasn't the monorail approved to link Sea-Tac wth downtown Seattle?

Alaska would probably just serve routes that WN serves from BFI. Alaska can do a good job operating flights 1 to 1 at lower cost and has the advantage of many miles members in the SEA area. I don't actually see anyone moving.

ASSFO

Quoting Commavia (Reply 1): Is anyone else a bit intrigued by the striking similaries between this AS/QX/SEA vs. WN/BFI tussle and the AA/DFW vs. WN/DAL situation down in Dallas/Fort Worth?

Yeah. Which proves the point. Nip this crap in the bud before WN shows up at your local GA airport where you have your Sunday fly in. You can't take the heat and compete on a level field with everyone else, then get out of the kitchen.

BTW.. If SWA thinks moving to BFI over expenses at SEA is going to solve things, they better think again. It appears they grossly underestimate the cost of turning a GA facility into a Commercial facility. Any gain they hope to get is negated by that cost (oh nevermind, they'll pass the roadway infrastructure on to the folks in King County - They'll like that). It's not about cost to begin with, it's about them basically owning a market. The same thing they complain about AA having at DFW.

Quoting Boeing7E7 (Reply 6): It appears they grossly underestimate the cost of turning a GA facility into a Commercial facility. Any gain they hope to get is negated by that cost

I agree. WN will not have lower costs being the sole operator at an airport that requires major upgrades, as I'm sure the cost of turning BFI into an airline-capable airport will be far greater than $11 million per year, as the article states: Alaska and Horizon estimate the departure of Southwest from Sea-Tac would increase their airport costs by approximately $11 million per year.

Quoting Web (Reply 7): WN will not have lower costs being the sole operator at an airport that requires major upgrades

Maybe they plan on building a terminal that fits the carrier, the mobile home variety.

This could also be sabre-rattling. WN thinks they control the industry and feels they deserve whatever they want. Maybe they think threatening Sea-Tac will get them a lower price. I hope that doesn't pan out. Thing is BFI doesn't appear to be very passenger-friendly and Sea-Tac is a very good facility (although the security lines could go faster).

Quoting BigGSFO (Reply 9): WN thinks they control the industry and feels they deserve whatever they want.

Piss poor airport managers have allowed this.

Heh, WN and Wal Mart are starting to sound like one and the same.

Quoting Vctony (Reply 11): Heh, WN and Wal Mart are starting to sound like one and the same.

Agreed! Pretty soon the Walmart employees will be singing over the loud speakers and the WN employees will be taking food stamps.