US Airways to expand local service; Delta builds New York

Business Courier of Cincinnati

 

US Airways, under a swap agreement with Delta Air Lines, is seeking to add non-stop flights from Cincinnati to Washington, D.C.  The deal with Delta Air Lines will help improve local declining capacity while bulking up Delta’s presence in New York.

 

The proposed flight, to Washington’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, is pending government approval. Delta will continue to offer daily service to Washington.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/08/10/daily30.html

The buzzards are circling and saying that this will cause CVG and/or MEM to be reduced to Focus City status.

Given the massive reductions from Delta already, what further damage would that action cause outside of an ego blow?

It would be nice to see CVG get another hub operation in addition to Delta. (JetBlue maybe?) Cincinnati shouldn't have to be groveling to Delta like Oliver Twist asking for more porridge.

Given the massive reductions from Delta already, what further damage would that action cause outside of an ego blow?

 

Going from HUB to Focus City is a big difference and eliminates all but flights to other DL/NW hubs and a select few cities with very high O&D traffic.

It seems that CVG is on the fast track to becoming just another airport, with service only to hubs to pick up connecting flights. With major hubs in Detroit and Atlanta it doesn't make sense for them to keep CVG in the middle of those two.

 

Hopefully CVG can attract another hub from another airline. However, I read that many airlines(e.g. jet blue, southwest) already have enough hubs to cover the area so it looks bleak for CVG.

 

How much this will affect companies decisions that we want to bring to Cincinnati? I would have to think that not having an airline hub that offers direct national and international flights is a major concern for large companies.

All the more reason to develop the 3C rail corridor and other intercity rail services, in addition to pursuing more airlines for CVG. Cincinnati can't afford to keep all its eggs in Delta's basket.

 

Fortunately, CVG has a lot of advantages in the fact that it's a modern, efficiently-designed airport with lots of capacity and minimal delays, and it isn't very far from downtown (I-75 traffic permitting) compared to many other cities. Hopefully those factors -- in addition to Cincinnati being home to many Fortune 500 companies -- will make CVG an attractive option for other airlines considering adding flights as the economy improves.

Ah, you have our (Cleveland Hopkins Airport) former head honcho. He's a very competent man -- and never lets anyone forget it. He also was accused of discrimination while here.

FWIW, I counted 13 DHL planes landing at CVG yesterday.  We spent the day at a remodel home deep in Delhi, and I could read the flight numbers on the sides of the plane as they flew over.    Don't know that I've ever noticed it before, but Welcome back.............I guess!

I'm glad they are back.  I remember seeing them haul all their equipment away back in 2005.  They primarily use 767-200, and DC8's, 727's, and two 747-400's.  It's a nice sight.

Delta has informed the Kenton County Airport Board they are expecting a 9-10% decrease in flights coming in Jan 2010.  I havent seen any articles on this yet, but has been the trend the past 5 years. 

 

Estimated daily flights 2005 - 600

Estimated daily flights 2010 - 225

It has to be getting easier for the CVG crowd to start serious negotiations with some low cost carriers. JetBlue, Airtran, and Southwest would all be great gets, even bringing back Midwest and Frontier which are a part of the Republic family would seem more gettable now that Delta has all but eliminated CVG as a hub.

Agreed. CVG can't afford to keep all its eggs in Delta's basket.

The airport board currently has an open air service development position open they are looking to fill.  They realize its time to get a new airline at cvg.

Good to hear. With its relative proximity to downtown, modern facilities, and ample room for future expansion, CVG could -- and should -- strive to be a viable alternative to O'Hare and Hartsfield in terms of being a major hub operation.

The airport board currently has an open air service development position open they are looking to fill. They realize its time to get a new airline at cvg.

 

Yes, this is good news!

CVG Press Release: USA3000 Expands Flights From Cincinnati

 

Nov. 13, 2009 — USA3000 Airlines has announced that it will expand air service in Cincinnati. Starting in January, USA3000 Airlines will offer six flights a week out of CVG.

 

“This is exciting news,” said Airport CEO John C. Mok.  “USA3000 has been a great airport and community partner for many years offering low fare options for the flying public. Their initiative to add flights at CVG illustrates, once again, the strong demand for air service in our local market."

 

High customer demand was a key factor in the company's decision to add back service to Ft. Myers, Fla. and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The airline also offers direct flights from CVG to Cancun, Mexico.

 

“USA3000 is an airline recognized as providing excellent customer service,” says Steve Harfst, CEO/President of USA3000. “As other airlines are reducing their flights in the cities they serve, we are proud to continue our long-standing, award-winning service in Cincinnati.”

 

In celebration of its resumed service, USA3000 Airlines is offering low fares out of the Cincinnati area. Customers can book reservations today at USA3000.com.

Delta to cut 5 more cities from CVG

 

Delta Air Lines will trim more flights at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in February, eliminating direct service to five more cities.

 

Delta officials confirmed this morning that cities to be dropped starting Feb. 10 include Montreal; Oklahoma City; Des Moines, Iowa; Providence, R.I.; and Tri-Cities, Tenn.

 

Read full story here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091201/BIZ01/912020314/Delta+to+cut+5+more+cities+from+CVG

More of a reason Ohio needs to build another airport and close the Dayton one. Denver did it. Look where it is now.

 

    Build a new airport when the existing airlines are cutting flights? Why?

 

    We just got a new runway at CVG, which was 10 years in the making, and there aren't enough flights to use it.

Consolidation.

CVG is more than ample to handle international flights; it is Delta that keeps cutting back. Only if we had deregulation...

More of a reason Ohio needs to build another airport and close the Dayton one. Denver did it. Look where it is now.

 

Thus, killing any competition? CVG will be fine, I believe new carriers will be welcomed once the economy has recovered.

Delta to cut 5 more cities from CVG

 

That actually should be 6; service to Columbia, SC (CAE) is discontinued in February.

 

More of a reason Ohio needs to build another airport and close the Dayton one. Denver did it. Look where it is now.

 

The location of the new DIA wasn't chosen to be within reach of multiple communities.  Denver built a new airport because Stapleton was at capacity, in the middle of an urbanized area, and extremely suseptable to delays. In order to avoid these problems, the new airport was built in the far outskirts of the city.  In fact, DIA is now further away from Colorado Springs (which maintains its own airport in a similar way to Dayton) than the old Stapleton airport.

More of a reason Ohio needs to build another airport and close the Dayton one. Denver did it. Look where it is now.  Where are you getting this info or rather perception.

 

Exactly where is it?  Seriously!  United is cutting back there as Southwest is killing frontier and hurting United seriously.  Denver becoming a domestic focus city.

 

United, is following in the steps of Delta and American by creating fortress hubs in their HQ cities.  United is focusing on Chicago and then IAD and its gateways at LAX and JFK.  They are less concerned with IAD.  American has focused on Dallas and Miami and Continental in Newark.  Meanwhile, USAir is trying to stay afloat as LUV follows it to every city and is like a cancer to their business model.

 

Now that Delta and NorthWorst are one.  There are bound to be cuts as the airline sales are down and they need to (again) cut capacity for the winter.  You cant possibly believe that the new Delta could maintain all those hubs.  Memphis and Cinci are the first to the chopping block.  Those airports are too close the bigger hubs in ATL and Detroit, in addition Delta is trying to improve service at its gateways in LAX and JFK as well as improve connections to it's lucrative shuttle in LGA.  LGA is poised for expansion and a terminal change.

 

CMH_Downtown is on the mark with is Denver comments.

More of a reason Ohio needs to build another airport and close the Dayton one. Denver did it. Look where it is now.

 

Yes, put it at the Monroe exit.

Some good news for a change, eh?

 

CVG adds 6th airline in May

By James Pilcher • [email protected] • January 27, 2010

 

HEBRON - The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Wednesday announced the first new carrier to its lineup since 2004, with Air Canada saying it was launching two flights daily in May to its main hub in Toronto.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100127/BIZ01/1280326/CVG+adds+6th+airline+in+May

Some good news for a change, eh?

 

CVG's air traffic rose sharply at the end of 2009 thanks to lower fares:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/02/15/daily48.html

 

Delta has also decided to resume a direct flight between Cincinnati and San Antonio:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/02/22/daily5.html

CVG's new security point is also open now, and is much larger and easier to use. I also like how it has restructured the airport in a way where people can wait for those arriving on flights at the base of the elevators where the security checkpoint once stood...now giving much more space and a dramatic feel for arrivals at the airport.

 

Security meanwhile is using a previously underutilized portion of CVG and has a much higher capacity with all the high tech gadgetry you would expect.  It was so efficient that I lost a tube of toothpaste in the process due to confiscation. :(

Delta is announcing soon that they are moving all operations into B Concourse in May, leaving Concourse A empty.  The change will be possible due to CVG having 8 pushes of flights versus 4 now.  All Regional Elite employees will be let go or given the opportunity to fill a Delta position, who will be responsible for all operations out of CVG.  The airport will have approximately 160 to 170 flights per day throughout the summer.

So that means Concourse 1, 3A and 3C will be empty

 

and Concourse 2 and 3B will be all that's left?

That is correct thomasbw.  Delta is still has their lease for C Concourse until 2025 and the lease for A Concourse until 2015.

What a boondoggle.  All this right after the $250 million runway expansions. 

What a boondoggle. All this right after the $250 million runway expansions.

 

Didn't US Airways have a similar pull out of Pittsburgh after they completed an expansion?

Thank you, Delta, for taking yet another collective dump on CVG, and for creating unfair 'marketplace' competitions that only increase the price of your service. Why fly at CVG when you can go to Louisville or Dayton for much cheaper?

Delta is announcing soon that they are moving all operations into B Concourse in May, leaving Concourse A empty.  The change will be possible due to CVG having 8 pushes of flights versus 4 now.  All Regional Elite employees will be let go or given the opportunity to fill a Delta position, who will be responsible for all operations out of CVG.  The airport will have approximately 160 to 170 flights per day throughout the summer.

 

Way to beat the traditional news media

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100316/BIZ01/303160011/Delta+closing+Concourse+A

They want to have their cake and eat it too. They want to take companies away from the region and put them into the ponzi scheme of Atlanta.

DL's internal memo FYI....

 

Considering CVG is rapidly shrinking, it would be great to have other options like the 3C rail to connect our region.

^Agreed. And if we had regional light rail, streetcars, and 3C and/or high-speed rail, Cincinnati would be a much more attractive travel destination for business and leisure, and perhaps CVG wouldn't be shrinking so much.

CVG isn't shrinking because of a lack of demand. It's shrinking because of Delta and their monopoly they hold at CVG. They arbitrary raise and lower fares, add and delete services and create unneeded hassle on a whim. Remember, it wasn't all that long ago that CVG was one of the busiest airports in the nation.

True... Delta's merger with Northwest never should have been approved by the feds.

True... Delta's merger with Northwest never should have been approved by the feds.

 

ehh, I don't know if I agree with that comment. Some may argue that the DL-NW merger has made international travel much easier; combined the new DL route network is just massive and it's never been easier to get to lots of places in Asia that before have been inconvenient for Americans.

 

but I digress -- this is sad for all those who will loose their jobs; sadly, that is the way things often play out in this industry, and I would hope that these individuals knew what was going on and had prepared themselves.

 

It IS ultimately the right decision for DL to cut costs while offering their passengers a more consistent and streamlined product. I think that in the end this will not only benefit Delta's success at CVG, but also CVG passengers as we're THAT much closer to snagging a LCC like AirTran, JetBlue, Allegiant or maybe even Virgin (unlikely, but one can dream).

 

Southwest will NEVER fly to CVG. 

That is correct thomasbw.  Delta is still has their lease for C Concourse until 2025 and the lease for A Concourse until 2015.

 

I have a funny feeling concourse C will end up being demo'd before 2025.    What a waste of taxpayers money!  And where the hell is COAST on this one?????????????????????  Doesn't involve rail, so we won't hear a peep out of them, right?!?!?!?!

CVG's "domestic" demand is below the capacity Delta provides. That's the definition of an interchange hub. Let's face it, the CVG hub is doomed. With so few flights, it's almost not worth calling it one now.

 

The bright side is the leases that Delta signed that they did not reject in bankruptcy. That will protect the airport somewhat.

 

IMO, CVG should more or less be written off as a major asset to the city. If it had to happen, though, this is not a terrible time. Air travel is becoming less and less convenient, so having the hub is becoming less valuable.

 

Something needs to give, though, if the country is turning away from air travel. It's been discussed here that airlines should embrace rail travel as a complement to air travel (particularly since the shorter flights (i.e. those trips best suited for trains) are the harshest on an airline's budget). I wonder if any rail advocates are lobbying for using airports as locations for start-up high speed rail stations?

 

Airports are removed from their cities, so obtaining ROW is likely to be a much easier endeavor than starting in the inner-city. Once there is an established vein between, say, CVG-IND-ORD, extensions to Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Chicago could be constructed at a leisurely pace.

High fares, fewer flights dog Cincinnati travelers

 

Travelers in Cincinnati just can't catch a break.

 

For years, passengers departing from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International have faced the nation's most expensive domestic fares, as lack of competition gave dominant carrier Delta Air Lines great pricing power.

 

With Delta lowering fares in 2009, traveling from Cincinnati is finally getting cheaper. But the airport is facing new challenges that threaten to dampen the prospects for the region's economic recovery: falling traffic and Delta's aggressive cuts in capacity. Delta flies about 90% of the airport's traffic.

 

Of the 100 largest domestic airports, Cincinnati had the worst decline in passenger traffic carried by U.S. airlines in 2009, according to the Department of Transportation. About 5.2 million passengers flew from Cincinnati last year on U.S. airlines, a 22% drop from 2008. No other airport had a decline of more than 20%.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-03-22-airportcheckin22_ST_N.htm

Things are only going to get worse for awhile, but I think longer term - say 10-25 years, it remains well positioned in the region to regain some of its significance. Delta built the hub in part for the same reason it is getting crushed now - it is in the center of 250 mi. circle with a crap load of people needing to go places. I don't have a lot of faith in the future of air travel, but I think the first airport in the mega-region to go truly multi-modal - inter/tracity rail/bus/air/car/bike (and CVG could even have boats) will eventually become a hub the serves the much smaller number of long distance flights. I'd guess Louisville or CVG are the most likely to get there (with Cbus and Indy in second - mostly because Indy is hurt by Chicago's proximity, while Cbus is hurt by Cleveland and Cincinnati's proximity, though it has a very well-connected airport to the rest of the region.

I suspect things are going to get worse for Cinci and MEM in the near future with regard to Delta.