Why does USAirways operate so many flights out of New York's LaGuardia Airport? Do they have a bunch of slots piled up somewhere or do they lease them from some other airline? It seems like every month they start flying to some other East Coast city from LGA that they don't serve already, and this month it's Bedford, MA.

If US is coming to BED (the Nimbys are protesting again), it is probably because they noticed the crowds showing up for ShuttleAmerica's LGA flights...hehe. I hope ShuttleAmerica doesn't get shut out of the market when they get their remaining Dash8's back from overhaul.

Lots of people fly USAirways out of LaGuardia because they pay money to. It's called supply & demand  

USAir purchased the LGA rights from the former Eastern Airlines. They operate from EAL ols terminal in LGA, US spent over $250 million to modernize the present day facility, which was finished in 1994.

Along with the LGA operation, came the USAir Shuttle, which was purchased by billionaire developer Donald Trump. US took over the shuttle in 1992 or 93, and operated it on behalf of Mr. Trump, until it was outright purchased in 1997 or 98.

The flights that US operates are quite succesful. MAny of the former Empire Air routes are still operated to upstate NY.

With the slot exemptions of commuter a/c, came the insane expansion of these past 2 years, that led to the impossible delays at LGA.

That has since been restricted to a certain number of operations by commuter a/c. All of the commuter airlines in/out of LGA were subject to a slot lottery to alleviate congestion.

The LGA operation is one of the crown jewels of the USAir system. It is probably the nicest terminal in the airport, and provides service to all of US major hubs, as well as flights to FL, and as far west as Kansas City.

I want to see USAirways go into Bedford. Stupid idiots against Hanscom...One day I am going to write an editorial for the Boston Globe to get more flights out of Hanscom. I would not be surprised if Delta is eyeing Hanscom for ATL flights.

Jeff

US Airways also has all the old Mohawk Airlines routes at LGA, although maybe the airport wasn't slot controlled then. Anyway, US has a long history there in its many predecessors.

Actually, US Airways does not operate most of the old Empire Airlines/ Piedmont Airlines flights to Upstate New York anymore. They maintained their competitor's flights for five years after buying them out in 1987, in order to settle an antitrust lawsuit filed by the NY Attorney General. After the agreement expired in 1992, they whacked most of the old Piedmont flights and hiked fares. Standard Six Families operating procedure in medium and small size cities.

Jim

maybe because they are profitable flights