Northwest Airlines could be eyeing Pittsburgh for expansion in the wake of US Airways Group Inc.'s second bankruptcy filing.
Speaking after a news conference announcing Northwest's participation in a major expansion planned at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Northwest CEO Richard Anderson cited Pittsburgh as a market where the airline could look to capture more customers.
Panam330 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2601 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3984 times:
Excellent. I'd love to NW pick up the slack. They're an excellent airline, with an excellent product. Look out for them -9s .
Jmc1975 From Israel, joined Sep 2000, 3162 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3943 times:
If NW moves into PIT with any significant presence, expect it to be a DC-9 haven. That is, until they are replaced with the likes of the Boeing 717, Airbus A318, EMB-190, CRJ-900, etc....................... you know how the story goes.
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21245 posts, RR: 19 Reply 4, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3895 times:
PIT would never be a full-fledged hub for NW. It's way too close to the fortress hub at DTW. I could see a focus city a la MKE or IND perhaps, but not much more.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
Jano From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3892 times:
I doubt it. I speculate they plan would be similar to MKE or IND -> start point-to-point where it makes sense and where they are pretty sure to make some $$.
Nwcoflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 642 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3885 times:
I could see NW adding PIT- select midwest destinations, as well as LAX, LAS, PHX. I would say PIT- FL routes could be added, soley based on logic from previous expansions from the midwest. (All have included Florida). However, we start to get into messy territory, because NW does not want to be in highly competitive markets where fares are low. (i.e. the NE US to FL). Berine Han (the CFO of NW) recently stated how pleased he was that NW was not involved in the NE-FL routes. So who knows. Where else would NW expand to from PIT?
Jetjack74 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 7336 posts, RR: 52 Reply 8, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3751 times:
If NW moves into PIT with any significant presence, expect it to be a DC-9 haven. That is, until they are replaced with the likes of the Boeing 717, Airbus A318, EMB-190, CRJ-900, etc....................... you know how the story goes.
Hrmmm, Most likely it will be with CRJ's. But I could be wrong.
NWA330Tony From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 119 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3707 times:
HUB never, but focus city i could definatly see that. I hope so im tired of seeing nothing but NWA rj's, bring in the 9's!!!some westcoast service from pit would be nice too!
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21245 posts, RR: 19 Reply 10, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3715 times:
I could see NW adding PIT- select midwest destinations.
Which ones? I'd say there's no way they will get involved with CHI, and they already have service to DTW and MSP. I guess that MCI, IND, and MKE are all possibilities, especially since IND and MKE since they are already focus cities.
However, we start to get into messy territory, because NW does not want to be in highly competitive markets where fares are low
Are fares low to anywhere from PIT these days??? That will obviously change somewhat as US gives up gates and others move in, but for now, I think that statement applies to markets like NYC-FLL.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
Nwcoflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 642 posts, RR: 15 Reply 11, posted (8 years 8 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3682 times:
Cubsrule,
Yes. IND, MKE, maybe MCI or OMA.
Are fares low to anywhere from PIT these days??? That will obviously change somewhat as US gives up gates and others move in, but for now, I think that statement applies to markets like NYC-FLL.
I agree, but if US collapses, the LCC's will have field day, especially on markets like PIT-MCO, PIT-TPA/FLL, where FL and the like would bring fares way down. NW will not want to jump into the blood bath of carriers competing on popular routes like that.
CoTXDFW777AA From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 321 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3228 times:
PSU.DTW.SCE From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 6875 posts, RR: 29 Reply 15, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3191 times:
As much as I hate to contribute to the US-demise threads, this one I will since the quote does have some credibility and it involves NW.
PIT would fit a market that NW could turn into a focus city and it fits into their Heartland plan.
The difference with NW compared to others, is that NW could open a focus city in PIT virtually overnight, and beat the competition. They have the resources in terms of aircraft, they have an existing station there. Where that the LCC's would have to open up a brand new stations and may not have the available aircraft.
NW could theoretically fly to the usual focus city suspects:
MCO, TPA, DCA, LGA, LAS, LAX, PHX.
Otherwise it could be just as simple as providing more lift to the hubs. Upgrading MEM flights to mainline, putting larger -9's and Airbuses on the DTW and MSP flights.
Then again, we might just be looking a little to far into Richard's comments. Any airline CEO is going to make that statement. Everyone will want to capture more customers out of PIT and will act accordingly.
NWADC9 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4860 posts, RR: 10 Reply 16, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3164 times:
First of all, the replacement for the DC-9's would be the A319/A320/CRJ-200. That's been announced a long time ago. Second of all, we don't get that many RJ's. And third of all...
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Edited 2004-09-25 17:35:32]
Flying an aeroplane with only a single propeller to keep you in the air. Can you imagine that? -Capt. Picard
JAXpax From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3167 times:
Northwest has a brilliant strategy.... a fortress region rather than a hub. They are building up many flights out of other markets. In Omaha they are taking a much more dominent position than before. In Lincoln, NE, they have just added 3 daily DTW flights in addition to the six daily jets to MSP, where just a couple of years ago it was just a few Saabs a day to Minneapolis.
AGrayson514 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 396 posts, RR: 2 Reply 18, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3017 times:
Perhaps they could fly to places that are loosing PIT service from US right now and already have a good NW presence, such as GRR or FNT and the like. I sort of envisioned them setting up shop in PHL or CLT, but I'm sure that PIT has some potential.
InnocuousFox From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2805 posts, RR: 16 Reply 19, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2917 times:
"Yes. IND, MKE, maybe MCI or OMA. "
We already have NW service to MSP, DTW and MEM. They likely won't add a PIT-OMA run.
Dave Mark - Intrinsic Algorithm - Reducing the world to mathematical equations!
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21245 posts, RR: 19 Reply 21, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2682 times:
No.
Filler
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
NWA330Tony From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 119 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2505 times:
Second of all, we don't get that many RJ's...
your right NWADC9 I must have been imagining flights 5727, 5744, 3487, 3491, 3457, 5629, 3615, 1917, 3617
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1118 posts, RR: 4 Reply 24, posted (8 years 8 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2392 times:
Is the sarcasm really necessary????
From a focus city perspective I would imagine it would be rather small especially in light of avoiding competition. LCC's will jump on the main business city pairs (those that they havent done already) and the main leisure pairs (again those that they havent done already).
Potential NW destinations out of PIT IMHO (assuming no US):
DTW - monopoly = more flights
MSP - monopoly = more flights
MEM - monopoly = possible upgrade to mainline
MKE - Skyway already increasing, maybe some NW RJ's
IND - maybe some NW RJ's
LAX - monopoly = 2 or 3 319's or 320's
LAS - 2 319's or 320's (assuming WN or HP dont jump there first)
PHX - 1 or 2 319'S (MAYBE)
Florida is kind of a crap shoot:
FL has already started moving in with 1 FLL and 2 MCO. AA is established on MIA and I could see DL quickly slipping into FLL also. That pretty much leaves only TPA and RSW uncontested. I dont think JAX could support anything other than maybe a daily WN. The USA 3000 services are generally ony 3x a week or less so that isnt much of a factor.
The big markets:
NYC - Everyone and their mother is going to look at those. CO is already entrenched at EWR and both DL and AA run feeders to their transats from JFK. That leaves LGA wide open but likely a prime LCC target.
WAS - Independence and UA already have a firm grip on IAD. DCA used to be a big NW market from PIT and could be again. If an LCC gets a big chunk of the US slots then who knows. BWI would go WN if they move in here but might not be much of a draw if they dont. Dont see any NW interest there.
CHI - If they really want to put the squeeze on TZ then maybe. There isnt that much of a market out of here to MDW though. With UA and AA already on ORD I wouldnt see NW going there. MDW just wouldnt be worth the cost just to put a squeeze on TZ.
Thats about it from my perspective.
25 Nwaflyboi: Working the line this past week.I looked at all the corporate passengers on my list.And looking at those lists.Dont be suprised if Kansas City or St L
26 AFHokie: Anyone thing that any airline will want to make PIT a hub within the next 10yrs?
27 ERJ170: Anyone thing that any airline will want to make PIT a hub within the next 10yrs? No, unless Mesa does as they stated they may do. It would be in compe
28 InnocuousFox: PIT will have to cut some of the fees that makes them so expensive. There are a lot of airlines that could use a presence of sorts in the NE that don'
29 ATLhomeCMH: Cubsrule is right: PIT would never be a full-fledged hub b/c it's too close to DTW...it wouldn't make logistical sense to put two "hubs" that close to
30 Pilotcoex: I think PIT is one the top three airports in the US (runways, ops, etc). I just don't think there is enough demand there to be called " a hub".
31 Luv2fly: I would be real surprised at much build up out of PIT for NW, also it is right around the corner from CLE and there partner CO has a hub there........
32 Burnsie28: Could go the other way too, right around the corner is DTW Ahh but wait, there is gate space on A. The old Frontier gates, and who knows, maybe the US
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