QXatFAT From United States, joined Feb 2006, 2284 posts, RR: 9 Posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1561 times:
Hello Everyone,
I read in the Fresno Bee here that FAT has been seeing an increase in passangers leaving Fresno to destinations around the United States.
In the paper it interviewed a couple that just flew back from Brussels because they got a nice price for flying out of FAT for $900 round trip compaired to past times of being too expensive.
Also, the 4th of July weekend is almost maxed out! It has exceeded FAT's predictions in passanger traffic. They have said that prices have gone down a bit and on Tuesday, some airlines sold out of seats on their flights for the weekend. They did not state an airline but their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday flights are all booked and there is no longer space on their aircraft. The average load factor is just over 90% for this week on Tuesday through Monday.
Also great news is that Delta Connection (Sky West) will be adding another daily flight to SLC to total 3 daily. Last year one flight was cut. In addition AA will be adding a 3rd daily flight to DFW on a MD aircraft. I believe that we havent had 3 daily flights to DFW for 5 years or so.
Embajador3 From Spain, joined Aug 2006, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1501 times:
I thought you were referring yourself to FAT airlines of Taiwan. Please, next time, could you be more specific and let everyone know that you are writting about an airport in Fresno???
Remember that many of us are not familiar with many airport codes in the USA. There are just too many to remember them all!
ERJ170 From United States, joined Apr 2004, 5760 posts, RR: 22 Reply 2, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1493 times:
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 1): I thought you were referring yourself to FAT airlines of Taiwan.
There's an airline called "FAT"? OMG.. I would not want to be on that one.. the self-consciousness of it all..
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 1): Please, next time, could you be more specific and let everyone know that you are writting about an airport in Fresno???
But the hover over FAT clearly states Fresno Yosemite Airport.. how could one not know (well, unless you are on one of the browsers that doesnt support it.. then okay)
MtnWest1979 From United States, joined Nov 2005, 1372 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
FAT is Far East Air Transport. But funnily enough, I assumed that Fresno was the subject. And going by your screen name, seems fairly obvious. But you may want to change that too, so there will be no confusiuon!
DeltAirlines From United States, joined May 1999, 7297 posts, RR: 16 Reply 4, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1473 times:
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 1): I thought you were referring yourself to FAT airlines of Taiwan. Please, next time, could you be more specific and let everyone know that you are writting about an airport in Fresno???
Considering that FAT (Far Eastern Air Transport) stopped flying over a year ago, I think it's perfectly fine to use the ICAO code for Fresno in the title...
FATFlyer From United States, joined May 2001, 4961 posts, RR: 39 Reply 6, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1411 times:
There have been 2 or 3 other threads in the last month or so about Fresno using FAT in the title. I don't see any reason this one should have to be retitled when people had no problems with the others.
BTW, for those who have not seen it, Fresno Yosemite Intl now has an indoor "sequoiascape" located in the terminal just before security.
It is a public art display by NatureMaker consisting of replicas of the Giant Sequoia trees found in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, all of which are found in the Sierras above FAT.
TAN FLYR From United States, joined Aug 2000, 1482 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1398 times:
In any event, It is great to see that FAT is enjoying such business and load factors. Regarding the AA 3 rd RT to DFW, it is only Thurs thru Monday I believe. ( Correct me if I am wrong, but a quick search of AA.com indicated such)..The one thing I don't understand is the late afternoon flight back to DFW. AA.com shows light loads. I would have thought that they would overnight that flight and add a second AM departure. Several years ago when they added the 3rd seasonal flight there was a 7pm or so departure from DFW and then around 9pm. Both over nighted and there was a 630am (or so) and a 9Am or departures to DFW..thus covering the the heaviest travel times to and from FAT.....anyone with any insight on this years schedule?
maybe when the current economic slowdown is over we (FAT) might get nonstop on MSP on DL or to ORD on AA..we can hope.
FATFlyer From United States, joined May 2001, 4961 posts, RR: 39 Reply 8, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1370 times:
Quoting TAN FLYR (Reply 7): anyone with any insight on this years schedule?
Yeah, this year's flight didn't make sense to me or WhatUSaid either. That 3rd timing arrives so late into DFW that it only allows a handful of connection cities.
On the other hand, after the 3rd FAT-DFW ends in August American Eagle will add 2 more frequencies on FAT-LAX even though fall is usually slow.
Quoting TAN FLYR (Reply 7): maybe when the current economic slowdown is over we (FAT) might get nonstop on MSP on DL or to ORD on AA..we can hope.
That is my hope too.
Given the recent new city growth by Southwest, there are only about 5 or 6 cities larger than Fresno that they don't fly to yet. So maybe we can hope FAT has moved up their expansion timetable also, maybe only a few years away now??
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain
WhatUsaid From United States, joined Feb 2007, 384 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1331 times:
Somebody at AA help us. As noted earlier:
AA adds a 4pm departure from FAT to DFW. The flight inbound is doing just fine and the outbound is dead - there's no connecting bank to speak of. The last time AA did 3X to DFW, the 3rd was a morning flight and the LF was well into the upper 90s. But, this 4pm will be lucky to hit 40%. What's the reasoning here?
Next all too strange but true -
In August, Eagle will have hourly departures from LAX to FAT in the morning between 7:30ish and 10:30 ish....and you can bet they'll be pretty empty. On the other hand, the outbound to LAX should do very well.
And, Eagle is moving from a 4pm FAT - LAX to a 3pm and 5pm to LAX. That 4pm to LAX isn't exactly a winner now, but the inbound flights will hit 75%+. Oh, I forgot to mention, the walkup RT to LAX runs about $1K except on Tuesdays, so don't count on O&D to fill the flights.
Would appear that AA is accepting that with these additions, one half of the RT will do ok and the other leg will struggle.
What is it with American's schedule planners? Granted, there was a time when you could simply fill one leg and get by but not with today's economics.
AA, btw, is #3 at FAT, behind US, which is adding a 319 to PHX.
Gotta love the extra capacity but I'd also like to see AA stay in Fresno and not suddenly exit the market blaming load factors that have fallen, just as F9 did a couple years back. We've been a revolving door too many times due to strange but true schedules...
MtnWest1979 From United States, joined Nov 2005, 1372 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1319 times:
Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 5): FAT is Far East Air Transport
Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 5): Wouldn't that be FEAT? Oh well..
Well, take that up with them. I didn't name 'em, just stating facts. Maybe they thought that was too close to deFEAT?
http://www.fat.com.tw/en/Ewebpage_beta3.asp
Here is their site. Guess I was incorrect. It is Far Eastern Air transport. I see on their site a nice club to belong to. You can become a FAT member LOL!
QXatFAT From United States, joined Feb 2006, 2284 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1267 times:
Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 6): BTW, for those who have not seen it, Fresno Yosemite Intl now has an indoor "sequoiascape" located in the terminal just before security.
I was just there the other day and it looks fantastic. The whole airport is looking good!
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 1): Please, next time, could you be more specific and let everyone know that you are writting about an airport in Fresno???
We could only wish. I know my company is HQed in MSP so we would love it as well considering they come to visit us quite a bit and we go to them as well. Also, the company owns some other buisnesses in Fresno and Tulare. Would be nice at least for us. I believe currently our company encourages us to use AA over any other airline but would be okay switching to DL.
Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 8): Yeah, this year's flight didn't make sense to me or WhatUSaid either. That 3rd timing arrives so late into DFW that it only allows a handful of connection cities.
How many international flights would this catch or local flights in Texas? Seems like you could count them on two hands.
Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 8): Given the recent new city growth by Southwest, there are only about 5 or 6 cities larger than Fresno that they don't fly to yet. So maybe we can hope FAT has moved up their expansion timetable also, maybe only a few years away now??
Where would they fly to though? SAN? PHX? MDW?
Quoting WhatUsaid (Reply 9): AA, btw, is #3 at FAT, behind US, which is adding a 319 to PHX.
Which is very interesting because normally the A319 is headed to LAS and not to PHX. Interesting move
I am crossing my fingers for good loads this summer and also for service to not deminish other than the scheduled stop of the 3rd daily DLConnection.
FATFlyer From United States, joined May 2001, 4961 posts, RR: 39 Reply 12, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1233 times:
Quoting QXatFAT (Reply 11): How many international flights would this catch or local flights in Texas? Seems like you could count them on two hands.
Less than 2 hands. It gets into DFW about 9PM, really too late for even international unless a pax overnights. So basically Texas and Oklahoma (AUS, ELP, SAT, OKC, etc.) plus a couple of others like BNA.
Quoting QXatFAT (Reply 11): Where would they fly to though? SAN? PHX? MDW?
I used to think in terms of OAK, LAX, SAN, PHX and say possibly SLC or somewhere similiar. But there have been some interesting moves at WN the last year or two so I haven't really tried to figure out what would make sense in their current network.
Quoting QXatFAT (Reply 11): Which is very interesting because normally the A319 is headed to LAS and not to PHX. Interesting move
Not really when you remember that US has cut a lot of connections out of LAS. So they now need to route Fresno passengers to PHX for those connections.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain
QXatFAT From United States, joined Feb 2006, 2284 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1177 times:
Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 12): Not really when you remember that US has cut a lot of connections out of LAS. So they now need to route Fresno passengers to PHX for those connections.
This is true but Fresno loves Las Vegas. A lot of those passangers just going to Vegas will now load up the G4 flights so they wont have another stop over in PHX.
So in the Fresno Bee it mentioned that one airline had absolutly no seats available out of Fresno for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Any guesses as to who this might be? My guess would go to AA but then again the flights to LAX might not be full like the DFW flights.
Also, any word on DL thinking about starting the FAT-ATL flight? Or is this a thing of the past now?
Embajador3 From Spain, joined Aug 2006, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1134 times:
As I previously stated, this is an international site. So, it is possible, that people (like me) think you are not referring to Fresno. Next time, you could use FAT (Fresno) in your thread title and there would be no misunderstandings.
Regarding the grounding of FAT (Far East Transport), it could be resurrected anytime, by anyone with enough funds. You never know.
It just does more good than harm, to specify that you are talking about Fresno.
Goldenshield From United States, joined Jan 2001, 4014 posts, RR: 13 Reply 15, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1098 times:
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 14): As I previously stated, this is an international site. So, it is possible, that people (like me) think you are not referring to Fresno. Next time, you could use FAT (Fresno) in your thread title and there would be no misunderstandings.
Foot in mouth, please. There are MANY threads here on this site that discuss international topics using vague contractions due to the limited number of characters allowed in the thread titles. The purpose of those titles are to catch your attention. If the subject inside was not what you thought it was, then move on. There's no need to bash someone because of apparent "false advertising."
Case in point:
In non-av, there was a thread entitled "Violence in AUS", or something of that nature, but anyhow, it was talking about riots in Australia. Well, guess what? AUS Also means Austin, TX, and since this is an aviation site, guess what we expect to see in regards to a location? That's right! Airport codes!
---------------------------------------------
As far as service at Fresno, given the economy, any growth is good!
[Edited 2009-07-04 05:52:39]
"I heard that there are rumors on the internets" -- G. W. Bush at the second 2004 debate
ExFATboy From United States, joined Jul 2003, 2128 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1058 times:
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 14): As I previously stated, this is an international site. So, it is possible, that people (like me) think you are not referring to Fresno. Next time, you could use FAT (Fresno) in your thread title and there would be no misunderstandings.
I don't mean to be mean, but really, if you compare the number of people on this board who want to discuss Fresno vs. a relatively small airline in Asia that's now defunct, your request isn't exactly reasonable.
The general convention on this board is to use IATA codes for abbreviations - although ICAO codes are also frequently used, the majority of A.net users use the IATA codes, as supported by the board's own "mouseover" function.
So the burden should be on anyone who wants to talk about Far East Air Transport to use its two-letter IATA code (EF, if Wikipedia is correct), its three letter ICAO, EFA, or just write out the name in the thread title.
Of course if the annoying folks at IATA had granted Fresno's request to change its code to FYI, the whole problem would be gone!
Dragging myself back on the main topic - I suspect the timing of the third AA flight from FAT to DFW is nothing more than aircraft utilization. There probably isn't sufficient demand for two morning flights FAT-DFW to justify two aircraft RONing in Fresno, and this gets the MadDog back into position for morning duties back east. As long as the combined revenue of the DFW-FAT-DFW run covers the marginal costs, it still makes sense. In a perfect world AA probably would just upgauge the current two DFW-FAT runs, but the difference between the MDs and the 737-800 would only add 40 daily seats each way, and the 757-200s are needed elsewhere.
FATFlyer From United States, joined May 2001, 4961 posts, RR: 39 Reply 17, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 991 times:
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 14): As I previously stated, this is an international site. So, it is possible, that people (like me) think you are not referring to Fresno.
You are coming across like you only have a problem with the code for Fresno.
But what about LAN the airline and LAN the US airport? Do you confuse those threads?
There is a thread on the first page titled "TAP Performance June 2009". Is TAP referring to the Portuguese airline or Tapachula Airport in Mexico? I'm in California and know Mexican airport codes.
What about, as Goldenshield pointed out, AUS for Austin, TX or AUS for Australia?
What about US the country and US the airline?
There will always be some confusion with abbreviations, codes, and slang. On here we all have to live with that and take the time to figure out what is being discussed.
Being confused on here by abbreviations and codes has personally helped me to learn new ones.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain
Anonms From United States, joined Dec 2007, 376 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 945 times:
Those sequoia groves look really cool.
Quoting Embajador3 (Reply 1): I thought you were referring yourself to FAT airlines of Taiwan. Please, next time, could you be more specific and let everyone know that you are writting about an airport in Fresno???
Remember that many of us are not familiar with many airport codes in the USA. There are just too many to remember them all!
I'm pretty sure more people are familiar with US airport codes than obscure Taiwanese airlines (I say this as someone of Taiwanese descent, too). There's plenty of other possible specific issues. TSA can be the Transportation Security Agency or Taipei Songshan Airport. Likewise, AE is Mandarin Airlines' code, but people use it to refer to American Eagle which is a perfectly logical abbrevation. Or CAL. China Airlines used that abbreviation, but so does Continental (don't ask me why all my examples pertain to Taiwan, it's all I can think of off the top of my head right now).
Commavia From United States, joined Apr 2005, 6775 posts, RR: 59 Reply 19, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 925 times:
Quoting TAN FLYR (Reply 7): The one thing I don't understand is the late afternoon flight back to DFW. AA.com shows light loads.
Yeah, that flight does have an odd schedule, getting into DFW at 2109. That can meet some connections to places like AUS, SAT, MSY, and a few other smaller markets in Texas and the south, but beyond that, most of the east-bound connections leave DFW by 2045-2100.
A 1445-1500 departure would have been better, getting into DFW early enough to meet most of the late-night eastbound departures from DFW, but the only thing I can guess is they had the plane sitting around in the schedule anyway, and they felt they could capture some of the local FAT-DFW traffic on that late flight - giving those local customers an extra few hours in FAT - so they can open up more room for beyond-DFW connections on the earlier FAT departure.
Quoting TAN FLYR (Reply 7): maybe when the current economic slowdown is over we (FAT) might get nonstop on MSP on DL or to ORD on AA..we can hope.
I wouldn't hold my breath on FAT-ORD. DFW can handle that east-bound traffic fairly well.
DeltAirlines From United States, joined May 1999, 7297 posts, RR: 16 Reply 20, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 908 times:
Quoting TAN FLYR (Reply 7): maybe when the current economic slowdown is over we (FAT) might get nonstop on MSP on DL or to ORD on AA..we can hope.
Given the way that DL has been cutting back on flights that overfly other hubs, I wouldn't count on it. I'd look for those CRJs to SLC to get upgraded to CRJ-700/900s before an EMB-175 to MSP is considered.
Only real new market I could see in California out of MSP on Delta is possibly MSP-ONT on a daily EMB-175. That's about it though.
WhatUsaid From United States, joined Feb 2007, 384 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days ago) and read 852 times:
In an earlier post, it was referenced that the new US 319 was heading to LAS not PHX. Not correct. The 319 is 12:35 to PHX and continues to LAS. LAS service on US is a single -900.
Responding to the question as to what airline had no seats out of FAT - who knows, although MX is always likely. Pre-flu, FAT-GDL was one of the best performers at FAT, averaging 93 pax per flight Jan - April, with 109 pax at the peak in April. Return from GDL is stronger, averaging 108 pax per flight with a peak of 122 in April. MX packs 'em in in early summer.
QXatFAT From United States, joined Feb 2006, 2284 posts, RR: 9 Reply 22, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 782 times:
Quoting WhatUsaid (Reply 21): In an earlier post, it was referenced that the new US 319 was heading to LAS not PHX. Not correct. The 319 is 12:35 to PHX and continues to LAS. LAS service on US is a single -900.
I didnt say that the plane was going to LAS but found it interesting because before this flight has been to LAS and not to PHX. That is all.
It could be MX because there is only one flight in and out of FAT but why would they just for this weekend, be going to Mexico? That doesnt make sense that this weekend those flights would be totaly booked. To me, it would be to see family to celebrate the 4th.
Concordski From United States, joined Sep 2008, 27 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 748 times:
I assume FAT being Fresno but that's more because I've been there dozens of times. Too bad DL doesn't have the 2x 757 service to ATL like the good ol' days. I live in Atlanta and have a lot of family in Fresno so the nonstop was the best thing going back then for me. Now it's a stop in SLC or also as often a nonstop to SJC and a rental to Fresno which often is cheaper. Glad to at least see the increase in service despite the economy.
TAN FLYR From United States, joined Aug 2000, 1482 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 728 times:
Quoting Concordski (Reply 23): Too bad DL doesn't have the 2x 757 service to ATL like the good ol' days.
With all respect, I have lived in the central valley for nearly 25 years and I do not recall DL ever having a single 757 much less 2x service to FAT. A year or 2 ago there was to be a 4 day a week flight on a 738 to ATL, but DL pulled it before it ever transpired.
It has been at least 10 years since DL mainline service to FAT as best I recall, and that was to SLC. The LAX service had been cut earlier..and all of it was inherited via the purchase of WA in 1987(?).
The only scheduled 757 service to this part of CA was12 or so years ago..an AA than came from ORD via SNA..overnited at BFL..then left again about 8:30 AM for the reverse trip. That deal only lasted 4 or 5 months as I recall.
ItalianFlyer From United States, joined Nov 2007, 540 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 728 times:
I am curious as to why FAT is so underserved...does anyone know? it seems with a population of just over 900K and being the commercial center to the Central Valley, Fresno would see more activity...at least to hubs.
TAN FLYR From United States, joined Aug 2000, 1482 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 729 times:
I'm not sure it is "underserved"..Service has to be profitable..or why do it. Yes the Central valley area catchment for FAT is probaly close to 1 million population, but it is not the socio-economic mix that many other areas of the US have. A lot of lower income, migrant/ transient workers here..Agriculture drives the valley economy..and right now Ag is hurting real bad.
The civic leaders of a number of central valley counties are in a full court press to bring more light manufacturing / distribution/ processing type jobs to the area. But let's face, the state of California does not really make it conduceive for a business to relocate here. Insane CARB rules, high taxes, unknown future tax structure, electric rates 30-40% higher than other western states, lack of reliable water supplies caused by judges givine junk fish more rights to water than cities and farms depending on it previously. A messy situation.
All that being said, the current mix of mainline and RJ service to almost all hubs west of the Mississippi serves the market..and presumably profitably for the carries. Would we like to see more, of course..for those of us that travel frequently to the midwest a nonstop to ORD would be wonderful...even MSP would do...But we have DFW/DEN/PHX/SLC/LAS/LAX/SFO/PDX/SEA
hub served..and NS to GDL..not much else except more mainline someday or CRJ900 or E-190's.
SANFan From United States, joined Aug 2006, 2464 posts, RR: 11 Reply 27, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 724 times:
I was going to suggest that the late FAT-DFW flight is offered in order for one-day business trips from Texas to Calif and back to be possible. (Why? I couldn't imagine, but...)
However, after checking the schedules, I see that the first DFW-FAT flight doesn't arrive until 12:44 -- making for a very short "day" in Fresno. (BTW, it's also kind of funky seeing the first 2 DFW-FAT trips -- just like the last 2 FAT-DFW flights -- only 2.5 hours apart.)
With only 3 r/t in the market, would we not expect to see them more evenly spaced throughout the day? (Even though there are other considerations, like the banks in DFW...)
Oh, never mind
bb
Now available for employment in airline scheduling and planning!
FATFlyer From United States, joined May 2001, 4961 posts, RR: 39 Reply 28, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 726 times:
Fresno is underserved for a number of reasons, here are several:
** It does not have a lot of corporate HQs so there is less business travel than many cities.
** There are many airports within a 3 to 4 hour drive with lower fares. For example WN and other LCCs influence fares at SFO, OAK, SJC, SMF, LAX, BUR, etc. That draws a large driveaway number out of the area.
** There is a larger than average low-income population. Between Oct 2008 and March 2009 average wages rose in Fresno, that happened in very few places in the US. BUT unemployment also rose from 11.1% to 16.9%. The combination of info indicates a large low wage population lost jobs. Likely that same group did not fly much what they did work.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain
WhatUsaid From United States, joined Feb 2007, 384 posts, RR: 0 Reply 29, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 610 times:
Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 28): Fresno is underserved for a number of reasons, here are several:
** It does not have a lot of corporate HQs so there is less business travel than many cities.
** There are many airports within a 3 to 4 hour drive with lower fares. For example WN and other LCCs influence fares at SFO, OAK, SJC, SMF, LAX, BUR, etc. That draws a large driveaway number out of the area.
** There is a larger than average low-income population. Between Oct 2008 and March 2009 average wages rose in Fresno, that happened in very few places in the US. BUT unemployment also rose from 11.1% to 16.9%. The combination of info indicates a large low wage population lost jobs. Likely that same group did not fly much what they did work.
My thought is that other than an incremental increase in seats (i.e. - an RJ is swapped out for a 319) that expansion at FAT will be driven by either G4 finding additional niche markets or that we'll find another low fare carrier stepping in with low frequency in a niche market.
It's hard to paint much of a success story with packed RJs, thus, I'm hoping US will continue to swap out the CR9's, given FAT a chance to show what it can do. As is, the city is out talking to Delta, Southwest, and the rest with little to convince a carrier of market potential, other than the MX success story. And let's be frank, MX is unique and is by no means any indication of how any other carrier may succeed in FAT.
QX came into this market with huge numbers and has more or less remained at that level for years now. We're still at the same frequency as day one with QX, just split between SEA and PDX. Isn't that something to consider? There's a demand, but it's a limited one, and doesn't provide the means to grow demand over time because of the weak economic base of the city. If that's the situation, and I'd suggest that's fact, FAT is pretty much stuck with what it has today for months, if not years, into the future.
SANFan From United States, joined Aug 2006, 2464 posts, RR: 11 Reply 30, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 545 times:
Quoting WhatUsaid (Reply 29): QX came into this market with huge numbers and has more or less remained at that level for years now. We're still at the same frequency as day one with QX, just split between SEA and PDX. Isn't that something to consider? There's a demand, but it's a limited one, and doesn't provide the means to grow demand over time because of the weak economic base of the city. If that's the situation, and I'd suggest that's fact, FAT is pretty much stuck with what it has today for months, if not years, into the future
Over on the "Allegiant" thread, SAN-FAT service was mentioned (not only by me, btw) and I couldn't help but mention it here, following your comment.
I often wonder (many times aloud) why QX has continued to ignore this market. They have the perfect a/c, they already serve FAT, and they have served Lindbergh in the past and there's plenty of room for a few Q400s these days. This would be a good market, even with the current economy, and the proximity of northern Baja should certainly be a plus.
bb
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