Gary/Chicago (GYY) Lands An Airline

United787 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:34 am

From Crains:

Starting Dec. 1, Sky Value USA will begin 3x weekly to Orlando and 2x weekly to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Las Vegas, and Phoenix (Williams).

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=22435

Anyone knows who Sky Value is? I could not find an FAA certification for them? What kind of aircraft do they fly?

Also, GYY started construction on the runway expansion today, Friday the 13th!

[Edited 2006-10-13 21:38:14]

[Edited 2006-10-13 21:39:15]

noelg · Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:42 am

Isn't Gary actually in Indiana? I guess the USA are starting to see the "land 30 miles away from where you want to be" trend!

Quoting United787 (Thread starter):
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sky Value USA, a subsidiary of British charter carrier Sky Value Ltd

Okay - who???? Smile

luv2fly · Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:42 am

Quoting United787 (Thread starter):
Anyone knows who Sky Value is? I could not find an FAA certification for them? What kind of aircraft do they fly?

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sky Value USA, a subsidiary of British charter carrier Sky Value Ltd., will start flying out of Gary on Dec. 1, according to airport director Chris Curry.

United787 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:47 am

Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 2):
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sky Value USA, a subsidiary of British charter carrier Sky Value Ltd., will start flying out of Gary on Dec. 1, according to airport director Chris Curry.

I saw that, but has anyone heard of them? Do they fly anywhere in the US now? What are they going to fly? I couldn't even find a webpage for them.

luv2fly · Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:55 am

Ask and yee shall receive.

http://www.skyvalue.co.uk/

727LOVER · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:01 am

Quoting United787 (Thread starter):
Starting Dec. 1, Sky Value USA will begin 3x weekly to Orlando and 2x weekly to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Las Vegas, and Phoenix (Williams).

What is Williams? This is not PHX?

san747 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:19 am

Quoting 727LOVER (Reply 5):

What is Williams? This is not PHX?

Williams is a large currently-GA only airport east of PHX, code is IWA...

IIRC, there are 3 parallel runways each around 9000 feet?

BTW, any info on the type(s) to be used by this Sky Value airline?

bravogolf · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:25 am

They will use B737-800's from Xtra Airways in a wet lease deal. Their US website, under construction, is http://www.flyskyvalue.com.

exarmywarrant · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:33 am

Quoting 727LOVER (Reply 5):
What is Williams? This is not PHX?

Formerly Williams AFB, I believe...

United787 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:52 am

Quoting Bravogolf (Reply 7):
They will use B737-800's from Xtra Airways in a wet lease deal. Their US website, under construction, is http://www.flyskyvalue.com.

Assuming that photo is their plane, looks nice!

Wet lease includes pilots, correct?

Congrats to Gary, I hope this works out, maybe JetBlue will follow!

HVNandrew · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:54 am

Ohhhhh.... Almost as good as Pan Am.

Humberside · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:55 am

Quoting San747 (Reply 6):
Williams is a large currently-GA only airport east of PHX, code is IWA...

Dont Festival also want to fly there?

Couple of questions?

1. Are they scheduled charter or a fully scheduled airline?
2. Will they use MCO or SFB?

bravogolf · Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:58 am

They will fly as a public charter (scheduled charter) They will also fly to MCO. What is their reputation in the UK?

nopeotone · Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:17 am

Hopefully this works out. My only worry about this is similar to the situation with Hooters Air at RFD. I'm not sure if I agree starting service to 3-5 cities immediately when choosing the airport. Especially if they are a new airline commencing service, I think it would be better to start with MCO and LAS. Gain some reputation and the area of Chicago know its there, let the flights fill and then add WIlliams Gateway, St. Petersburg, and FLL. Just my thought. Like with Hooters Air out of RFD starting with DEN, LAS, ATL. LAS was fine but DEN and ATL were off to a very slow start with loads until it gained public knowledge.

bravogolf · Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:29 am

Skyvalue looked at past loads from GYY flown by Hooters and Southeast as well as the most requested routes.

Cactus739 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:39 am

Quoting Bravogolf (Reply 7):
Their US website, under construction, is http://www.flyskyvalue.com.

While the interior looks.. like most 738 interiors.... i'm noticing that webpage is missing something.

The words "Williams Gateway" are nowhere to be found. They'll want to make sure that they add that to their Phoenix listing or else they'll have some very unhappy people when they land at East BFE Airport instead of Sky Harbor.

noelg · Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:44 am

Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 4):
Ask and yee shall receive.

http://www.skyvalue.co.uk/

That can't be right - it's not even an airline (just a travel agent!)

Quoting Bravogolf (Reply 12):
What is their reputation in the UK?

They don't have one - there is no such airline in the UK!

It seems as though "Sky Value" are just a tour operator, chartering aircraft and selling the seats. The real airline is Xtra Airways.

Most of the website pages don't work anyway so I have difficulty believing this thing will get off the ground!

[Edited 2006-10-14 00:50:01]

B757capt · Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:45 am

This will be very interesting.

hmmmmmmmm

leelaw · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:14 am

Quoting Noelg (Reply 1):
Isn't Gary actually in Indiana?

The "Gary-Chicago" Airport is indeed located in the "Hoosier" State, approximately 25 miles and 35 minutes by road from the Chicago Loop/Downtown. With some minimal investment there's potential for an excellent rail connection as well.

http://www.garychicagoairport.com

wedgetail737 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:16 am

Does Vision Air still fly between Williams and North Las Vegas with their Do-328's?

AirCop · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:25 am

Quoting Wedgetail737 (Reply 19):
Does Vision Air still fly between Williams and North Las Vegas with their Do-328's?

Yes!

Quoting San747 (Reply 6):
Williams is a large currently-GA only airport east of PHX, code is IWA...

IIRC, there are 3 parallel runways each around 9000 feet?

Runways are 10,401, 10,201 and 9301 feet in length.

Quoting Cactus739 (Reply 15):

The words "Williams Gateway" are nowhere to be found. T

Talking about changing the name to Phoenix Gateway..
No press release from the Airport authorites as of today.

KarlB737 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:51 am

Courtesy: Northwest Indiana Times

SkyValue To Fly To 5 Sites From Gary

http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/200...797631940986f386257206005dc493.txt

"For more on SkyValue and the Gary airport, read Saturday's editions of The Times."

[Edited 2006-10-14 01:52:51]

atct · Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:12 am

Well I hope this new carrier does well. Always nice to see new liveries and airports getting better service.

ATCT

kanebear · Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:25 am

Hmm.... so when's WN shifting over to IWA? Wink

mtnwest1979 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:53 am

Well, Morris Air started out this way, so maybe it will be a go. But, I'm not betting on it.

billreid · Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:57 am

I think they will merge with Fly Who.

Another plan to fail.

FATFlyer · Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:08 am

Quoting Wedgetail737 (Reply 19):
Does Vision Air still fly between Williams and North Las Vegas with their Do-328's?

http://visionairlines.com/

jacobin777 · Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:02 pm

Quoting ATCT (Reply 22):
Well I hope this new carrier does well. Always nice to see new liveries and airports getting better service.

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 18):
The "Gary-Chicago" Airport is indeed located in the "Hoosier" State, approximately 25 miles and 35 minutes by road from the Chicago Loop/Downtown. With some minimal investment there's potential for an excellent rail connection as well.

I agree with the comments above, as I would like to see GYY do well....

The problem is that GYY has at one time been recognised as "the crime capital of the United States"....not to mention "factory city"......

Living in Chicago/Chicago Suburbs (North) for 3 decades, I could attest to that as "fact"......

That being said, GYY could attract the "South Suburbs" of Illinois and the NorthWest region of Indiana....possibly to South Bend, Indiana if marketed properly...

bravogolf · Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:25 pm

Xtra Airways is now advertising for help for their new crew base at GYY to support the SkyValue service. Go to http://www.xtraairways.com

expressjetphx · Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:28 pm

Anyone who thinks they are going to Phoenix (especially the resort areas in N Central and Scottsdale) are in for a world of hurt if they land at IWA.

tjwgrr · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:07 pm

Just glancing at the Skyvalue GYY schedule, looks like a one aircraft operation..... if the one go's tech.... oops....... Sorry, you're stuck in Phoenix.....

DesertFlyer · Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:08 pm

I think Williams (IWA) has excellent potential for sucess. It is easy in and out from the small terminal with free parking, and there is an Enterprise there. Maybe I'm a little bias because I do my training at IWA, but I know I wouldn't hesitate to fly in and out of there if the fare was right.

bravogolf · Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:27 pm

Quoting Expressjetphx (Reply 29):
Just glancing at the Skyvalue GYY schedule, looks like a one aircraft operation..... if the one go's tech.... oops....... Sorry, you're stuck in Phoenix.....

Being a wet lease from Xtra, they would replace the aircraft with another from their fleet.

sphealey · Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:46 pm

> Isn't Gary actually in Indiana?

Yes, but the City of Chicago and the City of Gary entered into a "treaty" (so to speak) to create a regional airport authority. This was done to counterattack the Peotone ORD replacement proposal. They used a loophole in federal law which was designed specifically to allow New York City to enter into a regional airport compact with New Jersey, but the language of the law couldn't name New York specifically so Chicago and Gary were able to create an agreement between "cities in two states with a total population of at least 3 million" (paraphrasing). It was a neat hack of federal law.

Gary has some operational problems due to fog and snow from Lake Michigan, but it actually isn't bad as a location for a 3rd Chicago airport. There is even an exiting commuter rail line with above-grade tracks (South Shore + Metra Electric) that could be used for a high-speed link to downtown.

sPh

TWFirst · Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:59 am

From a marketing standpoint, GYY should change its name to "Chicago-NW Indiana" Regional Airport (or something similar)... addresses the negative connotations associated with the Gary name.

luv2fly · Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:01 am

Quoting TWFirst (Reply 34):
From a marketing standpoint, GYY should change its name to "Chicago-NW Indiana" Regional Airport (or something similar)... addresses the negative connotations associated with the Gary name.

YES, YES and once more to drive the point home, YES!

ABQopsHP · Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:15 am

Once upon a time there was an airport called Sanford (SFB). The loudest thing you heard there was a Cessna 172, every few hours. Now look at it! Expect the same to happen at GYY and IWA. Not everyone lives near MDW or Sky Harbor, and with the south and east side of the Valley of the Sun growing like mad. I'm sure many would rather not drive all the way into PHX if there is some decent service at Williams. Personally I thought that PHX should have moved everything out to IWA when the Air Force pulled out.

thegooddoctor · Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:44 am

Quoting Expressjetphx (Reply 29):
Anyone who thinks they are going to Phoenix (especially the resort areas in N Central and Scottsdale) are in for a world of hurt if they land at IWA.

Right - these will be the same people who will be in a world of hurt if they are headed for downtown LA and land at SNA, ONT, BUR...

People who will fly into IWA are looking to avoid the drive from Mesa into PHX. Also - free parking 20 yards from the terminal has more attractive power than I think people are willing to admit to...

S

N1120A · Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:11 am

Quoting United787 (Thread starter):
Starting Dec. 1, Sky Value USA will begin 3x weekly to Orlando and 2x weekly to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Las Vegas, and Phoenix (Williams).

Sounds like an Allegiant clone. They planning on going Ryanair on the drinks too?

Quoting Noelg (Reply 1):
Isn't Gary actually in Indiana? I guess the USA are starting to see the "land 30 miles away from where you want to be" trend!

Actually, Gary isn't particularly far from Chicago.

Quoting San747 (Reply 6):
Quoting 727LOVER (Reply 5):

What is Williams? This is not PHX?

Williams is a large currently-GA only airport east of PHX, code is IWA...

Not to mention that they just built a terminal

Quoting Kanebear (Reply 23):
Hmm.... so when's WN shifting over to IWA?

Um, no

Quoting Tjwgrr (Reply 30):
Just glancing at the Skyvalue GYY schedule, looks like a one aircraft operation..... if the one go's tech.... oops....... Sorry, you're stuck in Phoenix.....

More like, oops Skyvalue has to bus you up to PHX and buy you a ticket home under compensation rules.

Quoting ABQopsHP (Reply 36):
Personally I thought that PHX should have moved everything out to IWA when the Air Force pulled out.

You and one other person maybe. PHX is one of the best placed airports in the country, if not the world. It is right in the middle of the Valley and right in the heart of the Phoenix business district. Add to the fact that the Valley has abysmal public transport and the central locations makes it even better.

Quoting Thegooddoctor (Reply 37):
Right - these will be the same people who will be in a world of hurt if they are headed for downtown LA and land at SNA, ONT, BUR...

SNA and ONT I agree with but BUR is actually rather easy to Downtown L.A., and very convinient to the studios.

United787 · Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:16 am

Quoting TWFirst (Reply 34):
From a marketing standpoint, GYY should change its name to "Chicago-NW Indiana" Regional Airport (or something similar)... addresses the negative connotations associated with the Gary name.

I totally agree, then maybe all of the A-Netters that are obsessed with the negative connotation of "Gary" can move on.

coiah756ca · Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:22 am

Quoting Exarmywarrant (Reply 8):
Formerly Williams AFB, I believe...

Quoting San747 (Reply 6):
Williams is a large currently-GA only airport east of PHX, code is IWA...

IIRC, there are 3 parallel runways each around 9000 feet?

BTW, any info on the type(s) to be used by this Sky Value airline?

Quoting DesertFlyer (Reply 31):
I think Williams (IWA) has excellent potential for sucess. It is easy in and out from the small terminal with free parking, and there is an Enterprise there. Maybe I'm a little bias because I do my training at IWA, but I know I wouldn't hesitate to fly in and out of there if the fare was right.

I don't about Gateway. I guess with ASU east out, there may well be some success, but I just don't see it when WN is so powerful with their low fares in and out of PHX.

LawnDart · Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:33 am

Quoting Cactus739 (Reply 15):
While the interior looks.. like most 738 interiors...

That's not a 737-800 interior...the bins, the ceiling panels, all look like a 737-400...

Quoting Noelg (Reply 16):
Quoting Bravogolf (Reply 12):
What is their reputation in the UK?

They don't have one - there is no such airline in the UK!

Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 2):
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sky Value USA, a subsidiary of British charter carrier Sky Value Ltd., will start flying out of Gary on Dec. 1, according to airport director Chris Curry.

So, this brought up a couple of questions in my mind...a subsidiary of British charter carrier Sky Value, which has no reputation because there is no such airline...

Hmm...hey, doesn't the United States have laws against majority foreign ownership and control, even if the foreign controller doesn't exist?

Here's another interesting point...click on the "About us" link on the Sky Value website:

http://www.flyskyvalue.com./

and you get a "Page cannot be found"...

Something smells rotten in GYY...or FLL, or wherever this "airline" is based...

FATFlyer · Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:54 am

Quoting N1120A (Reply 38):
Sounds like an Allegiant clone. They planning on going Ryanair on the drinks too?

Except Allegiant is a scheduled carrier owning its fleet. Skyvalue is a scheduled charter operator.

Quoting N1120A (Reply 38):
More like, oops Skyvalue has to bus you up to PHX and buy you a ticket home under compensation rules.

As a scheduled charter isn't that governed by the operator agreement? They might be stuck at Williams waiting for a replacement aircraft.

N1120A · Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:09 am

Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 42):
Except Allegiant is a scheduled carrier owning its fleet. Skyvalue is a scheduled charter operator.

Sure, but the concept seems similar

Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 42):
As a scheduled charter isn't that governed by the operator agreement? They might be stuck at Williams waiting for a replacement aircraft.

The laws on compensation will govern, which should mean that they can't just leave people stranded.

bravogolf · Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:21 am

Quoting LawnDart (Reply 41):
Here's another interesting point...click on the "About us" link on the Sky Value website:

http://www.flyskyvalue.com./

and you get a "Page cannot be found"...

Something smells rotten in GYY...or FLL, or wherever this "airline" is based...

The web site is still under construction. The flight schedule is now up.

Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 42):
As a scheduled charter isn't that governed by the operator agreement? They might be stuck at Williams waiting for a replacement aircraft.

They would get a replacement aircraft from their wet lease operator Xtra in Elko.

B757capt · Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:02 am

Guys just like with any airline AA or UA or this Sky Value. If an aircraft goes on MX they can do a number of things. Cancel and reprotect, Ferry another aircraft or sub contract with another carrier.

Now yes people of cource AA or UA would have hundreds of aircraft and we are talking about maybe 5 at max but, if we are going to get serious lets talk facts.

luv2fly · Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:07 am

Quoting FATFlyer (Reply 42):
As a scheduled charter isn't that governed by the operator agreement? They might be stuck at Williams waiting for a replacement aircraft.

Quoting N1120A (Reply 43):
The laws on compensation will govern, which should mean that they can't just leave people stranded.

Charter operators even offering flights as "scheduled charters" can and do have a less then stellar performance record. Also getting a charter operator to compensate you is a whole nother story.

727LOVER · Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:09 am

Quoting TWFirst (Reply 34):
From a marketing standpoint, GYY should change its name to "Chicago-NW Indiana" Regional Airport (or something similar)... addresses the negative connotations associated with the Gary name.

I agree, but what about

Greater Chicago International Airport

It has customs, right?

PlanesNTrains · Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:11 am

I notice they mention positions opening in GYY, NYC, BOS, and .... BLI? What would they be doing with BLI? Vegas charters? Allegiant has that covered, so I'm not sure why they'd be looking there.

-Dave

Cactus739 · Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:49 am

Quoting ABQopsHP (Reply 36):
south and east side of the Valley of the Sun growing like mad. I'm sure many would rather not drive all the way into PHX if there is some decent service at Williams

Got to remember though that a lot of that growth on the south side of Phoenix is in the West Valley...Avondale....Litchfield...Goodyear...Laveen (YEAH!)... Glendale... El Mirage... and all the way up in Surprise! Free parking 20 feet from the terminal....whee... but I don't think there's many poeple on this side of town (myself included) that would drive *past* Sky Harbor for flight to Indiana...no matter how good the fares are. Any flight to Williams would cater to Mesa...Gilbert...maybe Tempe and Chandler. Everywhere else though, they'll go to Sky Harbor.

Quoting ABQopsHP (Reply 36):
Personally I thought that PHX should have moved everything out to IWA when the Air Force pulled out.

If it was such a good idea, it would have been done.

Quoting N1120A (Reply 38):
PHX is one of the best placed airports in the country,

As much as I agree with you.....I personally think Sky Harbor is in a great location....the City of Tempe would disagree. Whiners.

coffee

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net