FWAERJ From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 3172 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2170 times:
Well, I read GYY's online newsletter a few days ago. In a blurb there regarding passenger service, they say that they're talking with several carriers. We all know about the possibility of MetJet fly-by-night public charter service, but I see other things happening... could the new carrier be Skybus? SX says that they will announce a second focus city by the end of the year... after all, they have to put all those A319s somewhere.
GYY fits the Skybus mold... it's a very underutilized airport, it allows Skybus entry into the critical Chicago market, it's cheap to operate out of, and its main runway can handle an A319 easily. The only problem is scheduling the flights around the railroad tracks, but those are being relocated as I speak, and a runway extension is under construction. Plus, it's close to the booming NW Indiana cities like Schererville and St. John in Lake County and Valparaiso, Chesterton, and Portage in Porter County. The equally-fast growing south suburbs of Chicago are also only a stone's throw away. And it's closer to downtown than ORD... not that many SX secondary airports can claim being closer to the city center than the primary airport.
In the past, some a.netters have dissed GYY for being incapable of keeping air service. The truth is that in the case of Southeast and Hooters Air, GYY routes were consistently the best performers... it was just problems elsewhere that forced them to liquidate. The ATA Connection from IND cancellation was due to WN gutting TZ (which has to be one of the saddest things that happened in modern aviation, IMO). And in the case of the most recent casualty, SkyValue, the only reason why they didn't continue was because Xtra Airways couldn't lease them the needed planes (especially the 737-800) and they had to go to other operators.
And before you diss GYY for being "unsafe at any speed", GYY is located in one of the nicer areas of town, near the popular Majestic Star Casino/Hotel. I know that as a fact... I used to live in NW Indiana for a long time before moving to FWA.
As for routes: If SX starts a GYY focus city, I could see them serving many of the cities served out of CMH... like MCI, FLL, BUR, and PSM. I could also see SFB, PIE, and LAS as well as new cities for SX, because unlike CMH, SX wouldn't face direct WN competition at GYY on those routes.
Gregarious119 From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 523 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 2113 times:
I think your analysis is sound - GYY certainly fits the mold for SX.
We'll see what happens, they gotta do some announcing soon if these new routes are going to sell any tix before the end of the year.
Itsnotfinals From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 2067 times:
GYY was very strong for SkyValue (Xtra Airways) to IWA all last winter and spring. The issue with SkyValue is that that they couldn't pay Xtra Airways and so they discontinued the service.
GYY has been a tough nut to crack with 2 airlines failing there recently (Pan Am , mark III or is itr IV) and Sky Value.
RFD seems to be getting way more traction in the chicago area.
Humberside From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2005, 4901 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1925 times:
Quoting Itsnotfinals (Reply 3): RFD seems to be getting way more traction in the chicago area.
Of course this is largely down to Allegiant - G4 serve South Bend - is that too close to GYY for them to fly to both airports? Also helps that RFD has a FIS (although it is only used once a week for CUN charters)
Quoting Itsnotfinals (Reply 3): GYY was very strong for SkyValue (Xtra Airways) to IWA all last winter and spring. The issue with SkyValue is that that they couldn't pay Xtra Airways and so they discontinued the service.
If they were doing well how come they couldnt afford to pay Xtra Airways? Was it to do with the fact they couldnt get passenger money until the flight had been completed under scheduled charter rules?
Itsnotfinals From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1899 times:
Quoting Humberside (Reply 4): If they were doing well how come they couldnt afford to pay Xtra Airways?
59 dollar fares they offered for most seats were nnot enough to cover thier costs, they also had several mechanicals where they had to charter other carriers at much higher rates and that did not allow them to bank any of thier income. What it boils down to is they did not have enough capitalization to start in the first place. G4 and SX do not have those issues at least.
Chase From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 1054 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1865 times:
I agree that your analysis is sound. GYY absolutely should have service (I see GYY as being pretty similar to ISP, IWA) and it seems like this airport would fit the Skybus model well...even if that would mean Skybus' hubs are closer together than most airlines' hubs.
But, being pedantic here, I wouldn't say "WN gutted TZ". WN has never had any direct operational control over TZ...although WN did say that that wouldn't take connecting pax from/to C8, and based on that TZ decided to axe C8. So...it was TZ's decision, although admittedly it may have been stupid for them to have not killed C8, given WN's position.
KarlB737 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2927 posts, RR: 9 Reply 7, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1719 times:
Quoting FWAERJ (Thread starter): In the past, some a.netters have dissed GYY for being incapable of keeping air service.
Some A-netters have dismissed GYY however with the planned improvements that you claim are underway I see a brighter future. The mere fact that the plans for improvements have left the drawing board and are translating into action cannot be overlooked. The two Chicago airports for all practical purposes are maxed out. Sooner or later there are some (notice I said some) flyers whether leisure or business that want that aside regional simply because it is less conjested. We are seeing that in Michigan with FNT vs. DTW.
As far as the airlines that used GYY and failed usually these are startups that begin weak and can collapse. However with the improvements to the airport coupled with an airline that has a solid operational foundation I believe that combination can be a strong draw for GYY.
Quoting FWAERJ (Thread starter): And before you diss GYY for being "unsafe at any speed"
Speaking for myself I used to fly out of DET where "unsafe" is in all directions and yet I wanted that less conjested opportunity and went there anyway. After a while the more people that use the airport in question I think it can become somewhat safer with a lot of people around. This could be debated though and I understand that.
Quoting FWAERJ (Thread starter): GYY fits the Skybus mold... it's a very underutilized airport, it allows Skybus entry into the critical Chicago market
I could agree with that when the improvements at GYY are completed. It appears that Skybus has come on the scene with some creative ideas and GYY would allow them to touch base with Chicago but also northwestern Indiana. Frankly if they (Skybus) accept GYY as viable it would be a home run for GYY. It could be a much needed stronger magnet that they need to attract more flyers. I hope Skybus seizes the opportunity.
Lastly there is always a debate regarding RFD & GYY. Simple and to the point I believe that GYY can provide what I have already described. RFD on the west side can provide what it does along with parts of southern Wisconsin. So both serve a slice.
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