Ha, Cleveland is on the bottom of a list, and its a good thing for once.

Cincinnati tops list of costliest U.S. airfares

Saturday, July 28, 2007

From staff and wire reports

 

When it comes to airfares, Northeast Ohio has it pretty good, especially compared with the other end of the state.  Akron-Canton Airport was the sixth-cheapest of the nation's 100 busiest airports in the first three months of this year, according to federal data released this week, with an average ticket price of $308.93.  Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was in the middle of the pack, ranking 44th-costliest at $371.40.

 

The most expensive place to fly out of in the nation?  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, with an average ticket price of $531.48. That beat even exotic locations such as Honolulu and Anchorage, Alaska.

 

Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business-3/1185619722126740.xml&coll=2&thispage=1

Delta chief selected

Merger a bigger possibility, analysts say

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

August 22, 2007

 

ATLANTA - In a surprise move, Delta Air Lines tapped an outsider - former Northwest Airlines head Richard Anderson, 52 - to replace retiring chief executive Gerald Grinstein, 75.  The selection of Anderson, who takes over Sept. 1, prompted several analysts to say a long-speculated potential merger between Delta and Northwest might be more likely, if not probable.  They added that the new leader will help decide whether to keep or sell off Delta's Erlanger-based regional airline subsidiary, Comair.

 

Brian Nelson, an analyst with Morningstar in Chicago, said Anderson's ties with Northwest make a deal more likely than if one of the internal candidates took over.  He noted that chief financial officer Ed Bastian, who was named president Tuesday, and chief operating officer James Whitehurst were vocal about keeping Delta a stand-alone carrier during a hostile takeover attempt by U.S. Airways.

 

Business to Delta: Relief!

Again, local fares highest in nation

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE & JESSICA BROWN | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

August 31, 2007

 

CINCINNATI - With Delta Air Lines' bankruptcy over, a new chief coming on board and $1.8 billion in profits this summer, the local business community is stepping up its efforts to get the region's dominant carrier to cut air fares from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.  The move comes as local air fares were once again labeled the most expensive in the nation by the Department of Transportation. The average plane ticket out of the Hebron airport was $598 during the first three months of 2007, according to the department's Office of Aviation Analysis.

 

"We have a common goal: We want the best service and competitive prices," said Arlyn Easton, president of Meyer Tool in Camp Washington and head of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's Regional Air Service Committee. "(The timing has) got to be better now than it was a year ago."  That's because last week, Delta announced Richard Anderson, 52, a former Northwest Airlines head, would replace retiring chief executive Gerald Grinstein starting Sept. 1.  Also, following a brutal restructuring that slashed billions in debt and thousands of jobs, Delta reported in July a whopping profit boosted by one-time items.  Excluding reorganization and other items, their net income for the second quarter was $274 million.

Delta traffic continues growth, boosted by international routes

September 6, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

 

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. flew a record number of passengers in August, as its total system traffic jumped 8.8 percent.  The Atlanta-based airline's (NYSE: DAL) total system traffic increased to about 11.9 billion, a figure that includes the number of seats available to fly one passenger one mile (Available Seat Miles -- ASM) and revenue earned flying one passenger one mile (Revenue Passenger Miles -- RPM).

 

Domestic traffic increased 4.7 percent, while international traffic spiked 18.1 percent.  A record number of passengers flew internationally on Delta in August.  The number of international passengers rose 17 percent, Latin America passengers increased 24 percent and Atlantic passengers grew by 11 percent compared with August 2006.  Delta boarded 10.2 million passengers in August -- an increase of 7.9 percent from 9,449,204 August 2006.

 

Comair to debut new commuter aircraft

September 11, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

 

ERLANGER - The first two Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft are joining Comair's fleet in late September, the airline said Tuesday.  The commuter jets, from Montreal-based Bombardier, have 76 seats, including 12 first-class seats - a first for the regional carrier. Another 12 CRJ-900s will be delivered in April 2008, and will include other amenities like larger overhead bins and windows, Comair said in a news release.

 

The two new aircraft will initially fly on routes originating from Boston, New York and Philadelphia, to destinations that include Chicago, Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth. The airline said it will sell 14 50-seat CSJ-100 aircraft in its fleet to Bombardier. When the remainder of the new aircraft are delivered, Comair's fleet will include the 14 CRJ-900s with 76 seats, 15 CRJ-700s with 70 seats, and 100 CRJ-100s and -200s with 50 seats.

 

Comair, based in Erlanger, is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL).

Delta chops leisure fares

Airline reduces price gap with other regional airports

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | [email protected]

 

HEBRON - New Delta Air Lines chief executive Richard Anderson brought a gift Tuesday during his first visit to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport since assuming his job: lower fares for leisure travelers.  The region's dominant carrier said it was cutting the average leisure flight by roughly 20 percent to more than 60 U.S. cities from the local airport. Delta officials said the average savings for a round-trip ticket would be $80.

 

While the cuts were focused on leisure fares, which typically must be booked at least 21 days in advance and require a Saturday night stay, they weren't limited to them.  Walk-up fares would also be cut an average of 6 percent.  The announcement came after two separate surveys released this summer by the Department of Transportation tagged the local airport - where Delta has more than 80 percent of the market - with the dubious distinction of having the nation's highest fares.

 

Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070919/BIZ01/709190337

about time...

Delta, US Airways cleared for China routes

September 25, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

 

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. and US Airways have won U.S. Department of Transportation approval to fly new routes to China.

 

Delta said it plans to start nonstop flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Shanghai, China, on March 30, 2008.

 

US Airways is adding a new daily route from its Charlotte, N.C., hub to the Chinese capital city of Beijing beginning in 2009.

 

Atlanta-based Delta had been angling for a China route as part of its strategy to add more international routes, following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last spring. Delta (NYSE: DAL) operates a hub from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Looks like merger talks have started again.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/14/news/companies/delta_united/index.htm?cnn=yes

Report: Delta, United in merger talks

Company would keep United name and be based in Chicago

 

Interesting.... the airline equivalent of the Penn Central Railroad.  All of this to satisfy some hedge fund investors while passengers get fewer choices.

just keep the hub, just keeeep the hub

Of all the combos Delta has been rumored to be involved in, this has the least overlap. United basically covers the fly over routes, the West Coast, and the Great Plains. Compared to Continental and NW which have hubs in Detroit and Cleveland, United is big in Chicago but nothing else in the Ohio Valley or Southeast.

I can't imagine they would keep cincinnati as a hub,

 

 

United has Chicago, denver, dc, la, and san fransico

Delta has Cincinnati, atlanta, and salt lake.

 

you keep chicago and atlanta, drop denver or salt lake, and then you get rid of cincinnati or dc, the smart choice seems to be dc

 

I can't imagine they would keep cincinnati as a hub,

 

 

United has Chicago, denver, dc, la, and san fransico

Delta has Cincinnati, atlanta, and salt lake.

 

you keep chicago and atlanta, drop denver or salt lake, and then you get rid of cincinnati or dc, the smart choice seems to be dc

 

BANNED! :whip: :whip: :whip: :whip: :whip: :whip: :whip: :whip:

look at a map, atlanta gives you southern coverage, chicago gives you midwestern coverage, salt lake or denver serve the geographic midwest, so that leaves the eastern seaboard and new england as the place for the hub, dc would do a better job than cincinnati,

Yeah, CVG probably would be downgraded. When the assistant head of Delta's Reservations came to the Cincy call center, he told us (yes, I work for Delta) that a normal, profitable hub has at least 40% of the flights originate there. CVG is something like 10% -- it's overwhelmingly a connections airport. I suspect a major reason this town still has a hub is because of the influence of the big corporations hq'd here (like P & G) who require lots of nonstop flights and will pay anything for them; I don't know if I'm right (being fairly new to the town). In any case, JFK and Atlanta would be the only clearly safe Delta hubs in a merger with United.

 

I can't imagine most people in Cincinnati (e.g., not corporate executives) would really be sad to see the hub downgraded, and airline competition return to CVG. You can have a cheap airport, or you can be a hub, but this town just isn't big enough to do both. Hey, nothing wrong with being a focus city -- just ask Indy (NW) or KC (Midwest)!

so that leaves the eastern seaboard and new england as the place for the hub, dc would do a better job than cincinnati,

 

Don't forget the huge and growing Delta gateway/hub at JFK. Plus, we have focus cities at Boston and LaGuardia.

Hey, nothing wrong with being a focus city -- just ask Indy (NW) or KC (Midwest)!

 

Yes, but if I had to choose I would take higher fares with a major hub and one of the highest per capita corporate HQ's in the nation.

 

look at a map, atlanta gives you southern coverage, chicago gives you midwestern coverage, salt lake or denver serve the geographic midwest, so that leaves the eastern seaboard and new england as the place for the hub, dc would do a better job than cincinnati,

 

I'm a planner...I do nothing but look at maps (obviously I was kidding)

I'll take the hub in Cincinnati any day.  Without it, I couldn't fly direct from Cincy to Portland on any airline. (admittedly, that's a selfish reason  :-D) 

 

Also, who cares about the hub at JFK?  Have you ever flown into or out of that airport?  It seems like there's a three hour delay every time!  If you're not going TO New York, it's a complete pain in the rear.  I think that hubs should be centrally located and in areas where weather and demand (constricted airspace) don't cause the bulk of your connecting flights to get behind schedule.  Cincinnati is perfect for that.

 

/edit: side note: once, delta tried to book me on a flight connecting flight into JFK and out of Laguardia 90 minutes later!  I changed to a later flight, just so that I connect through Atlanta and not deal with that headache.

There is now free wifi in Terminals two and three.  Provided by lillypad. 

CVG stays among busiest

Takeoffs, landings drop in '07, but rank up a notch

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

January 3, 2008

 

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport saw the number of takeoffs and landings drop in 2007, but it remained one of the 25 busiest airports in the United States, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration.  The Hebron airport last year saw a 5.2 percent dip in 2007 "operations" - takeoffs and landings - to 327,635.  Although CVG saw less activity in 2007, other airports rounding out the top 25 lost more ground - allowing CVG's ranking to climb to No. 24 from No. 25 in 2006, when the airport had 345,758 operations.

 

The slowdown in activity last year pales in comparison to the decline in 2006.  Following a 26 percent cutback in local service by then-bankrupt Delta Air Lines, the local airport saw a 30.2 percent drop in operations in 2006 compared with 2005, when CVG was ranked the 14th-busiest airport in the U.S. with 495,452 operations.

 

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics ranks the Cincinnati airport as the nation's 30th largest based on nearly 15 million passengers flying in and out of the airport during the 12 months ending Sept. 30.

Delta merger more likely

Industry speculation increases

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

January 8, 2008

 

ATLANTA - A year ago, it was unthinkable that Delta Air Lines would seek a merger. But now, although there are still plenty of obstacles, analysts say there are new factors creating momentum for such a possibility. The factors include crude oil prices near $100 a barrel, a weakening U.S. economy, the growing realization that the Bush administration won't control the Justice Department a year from now and, perhaps most important, a Delta management team more open to the idea of a merger.

 

There were renewed rumblings over a potential merger involving Delta, the nation's third-largest airline, during the weekend. The Financial Times reported Sunday that Delta has delayed sizing up its Erlanger-based Comair regional subsidiary for a potential sale until after Delta examines a potential merger with another major airline, such as United or Northwest. The paper also reported that Delta had hired Morgan Stanley to mull what to do with the local carrier.

 

A Delta merger would likely have profound effects in this region. Many analysts think that it would lead to major service and job cuts at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, home to Delta's second-largest hub. Many think that the local hub could be eliminated altogether. Meanwhile, Comair's role in a combined company would likely face changes, though it's less clear what they would be.

If they merge and cut flights and the prices don't go down at CVG. I'll never fly Delta, United or Northwest again.

If they merge and cut flights and the prices don't go down at CVG. I'll never fly Delta, United or Northwest again.

 

if they cut enough flights, they won't be able to fix prices.  Southwest Airlines here we come.

If they were to cut back say 50% of their flights, I would possibly be out of a job.

sorry to hear that Rich.  however, outside of the shuttle, Deltas planes are just nasteeee

I am of the opinion that a merger would cause our hub to be shut down.  And contrary to the negative tone towards delta here (often because of the crazy high prices, i think), I believe the airport (hub) is a major asset to our city.  Although the prices are high, most businesses don't really care and still buy the seats.  Also, we pay for the convenience of undeserved exceptional airline service (by that i am referring to the number of nonstop destinations for a city of our size, not the prices).  Therefore, I am worried about the prospects of a merger.

 

Just my thoughts..

 

 

I think the same thing. 

 

With hub airports in Cleveland, Cinci, Detroit and Chicago and focus hubs in Pitts, Indi, St. Louis and Milwauke.  Someone has got to go.

 

If Delta merges with United or NorthWorst, Delta will pull out totally or make Cinci a "focus city" with limited non stops to 4 or 5 destinations.

 

I think the shuttle would be sold off to Continental, American or possibly Airtran.

 

Delta merging with JetBlue (therefore eliminating much of Delta's competition in JFK) would be a more hopeful merger for Cinci.

 

Why can't the shut Atlanta down as a hub? ;)

I think the same thing. 

 

With hub airports in Cleveland, Cinci, Detroit and Chicago and focus hubs in Pitts, Indi, St. Louis and Milwauke.  Someone has got to go.

 

If Delta merges with United or NorthWorst, Delta will pull out totally or make Cinci a "focus city" with limited non stops to 4 or 5 destinations.

 

I think the shuttle would be sold off to Continental, American or possibly Airtran.

 

I'm not so sure that CVG would lose its "hub status".  Cincinnati's weather is much better in terms of severity and predictability than Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago.  From a scheduling standpoint, that's a big plus.  It's also more centrally located than those cities.  Indy and St. Louis are also good locations as far as that goes, but Indy is too close to Chicago, as is Milwaukee.  St. Louis is probably as good (or better) a location as Cincinnati, but it is farther from New England, which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on the parties involved.  Speaking of which, CVG doesn't suffer from the congestion (both on the ground and in the air) that Northeastern airports like JFK are plagued with.  The CVG airport itself is also pretty nice, comparatively speaking; it's not run down, leaving an airline looking for an excuse to leave.  There is also a ton of business travel that goes in and out of Cincinnati because so many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered or have major offices there.  Basically, what I'm getting at is that Delta didn't choose CVG randomly to be a hub.  It has a lot of upside, and any new airline will see that, whether its part of a Delta merger or some other player that fills the void.

The weather part is important as is the fact that Delta actually helped pay for Terminal 3. The NW combo is more worrisome than the United one.

I think the same thing. 

 

With hub airports in Cleveland, Cinci, Detroit and Chicago and focus hubs in Pitts, Indi, St. Louis and Milwauke.  Someone has got to go.

 

If Delta merges with United or NorthWorst, Delta will pull out totally or make Cinci a "focus city" with limited non stops to 4 or 5 destinations.

 

I think the shuttle would be sold off to Continental, American or possibly Airtran.

 

I'm not so sure that CVG would lose its "hub status".  Cincinnati's weather is much better in terms of severity and predictability than Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago.  From a scheduling standpoint, that's a big plus.  It's also more centrally located than those cities.  Indy and St. Louis are also good locations as far as that goes, but Indy is too close to Chicago, as is Milwaukee.  St. Louis is probably as good (or better) a location as Cincinnati, but it is farther from New England, which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on the parties involved.  Speaking of which, CVG doesn't suffer from the congestion (both on the ground and in the air) that Northeastern airports like JFK are plagued with.  The CVG airport itself is also pretty nice, comparatively speaking; it's not run down, leaving an airline looking for an excuse to leave.  There is also a ton of business travel that goes in and out of Cincinnati because so many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered or have major offices there.  Basically, what I'm getting at is that Delta didn't choose CVG randomly to be a hub.  It has a lot of upside, and any new airline will see that, whether its part of a Delta merger or some other player that fills the void.

 

I disagree as the Chicago United hub and Detroit Northwest hub are stronger and have better amenties than CVG.  After the amount of money NW put into the Detroit hub, I don't see it going away if Northwest and Delta were to merge.  I see both Memphis and Cinci being lowered to "focus" cities.

 

If Delta were to merge with United, I don't see how keeping a hub in Cinci makes sense with a strong international hubs in both DC and Chicago. Also, the St. Lake hub would go away with Denver right there.

 

the midwest is a strange beast when it comes to air travel as its a saturated market, unlike the Southeast where USAir & Delta are the only players; the Southwest were Continental and American are on opposite ends of Texas; and the west where USAir is the only airline to have a full flegded hub between Portland, Or a and Phoenix.

 

Its speculatory, but I don't see Cinci coming out a winner.  If a merge

Why can't the shut Atlanta down as a hub? ;)

 

I'm not a pilot, but one of my best friends is.  He claims that Atlanta is one of the best laid-out airports in North America.  Something to do with having 4 parallel runways and 1 or 2 that cross, so they can handle excessive volume without becoming a major logistical headache for air traffic control.  There could be more to it than just that, but one of the most important qualifications for a hub is the ability to handle lots of takeoffs and landings on a consisten basis, which ATL apparently excels at.

I disagree as the Chicago United hub and Detroit Northwest hub are stronger and have better amenties than CVG.  After the amount of money NW put into the Detroit hub, I don't see it going away if Northwest and Delta were to merge.  I see both Memphis and Cinci being lowered to "focus" cities.

 

If Delta were to merge with United, I don't see how keeping a hub in Cinci makes sense with a strong international hubs in both DC and Chicago. Also, the St. Lake hub would go away with Denver right there.

 

the midwest is a strange beast when it comes to air travel as its a saturated market, unlike the Southeast where USAir & Delta are the only players; the Southwest were Continental and American are on opposite ends of Texas; and the west where USAir is the only airline to have a full flegded hub between Portland, Or a and Phoenix.

 

Its speculatory, but I don't see Cinci coming out a winner.  If a merge

 

 

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

 

I tend to agree with you...the airport and location is too good to pass up.  I think you'll also have to see what P&G, Macy's, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, 5/3, and GE have to say about the lack of a hub.  I'll doubt that they'll let it go without a fight.

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

 

I tend to agree with you...the airport and location is too good to pass up.  I think you'll also have to see what P&G, Macy's, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, 5/3, and GE have to say about the lack of a hub.  I'll doubt that they'll let it go without a fight.

 

Granted this is all speculation, but if local businesses had a say in the carriers at their local airport, then Columbus, Pittsburgh, St. Louis would still be hubs, right?

^ Cincinnati has the most f500 co.'s in the country per capita... so, not really.

^You can split up the revenues and it would be much more than that.

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

 

I tend to agree with you...the airport and location is too good to pass up.  I think you'll also have to see what P&G, Macy's, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, 5/3, and GE have to say about the lack of a hub.  I'll doubt that they'll let it go without a fight.

 

Granted this is all speculation, but if local businesses had a say in the carriers at their local airport, then Columbus, Pittsburgh, St. Louis would still be hubs, right?

 

Simply put...NO.  Those cities don't even compare to Cincy when it comes to powerhouse Fortune 500 companies.

I don't see this coming out as an overall positive in any way.  Although I have taken quite a few $1000 plus flights in the past year, the airport is convenient.  I think most people realize Delta is going to charge a premium as a fortress hub, but the fact that many of the prices seem like simple gouging rubs people the wrong way.

 

The other side of this is the number of jobs directly tied to Delta, Comair, the airport as well as the thousands of spin-off jobs.  The airport has been a real economic engine (the impact is in the billions from previous studies I have seen by UC et al), and is often cited as a reason for companies locating in Cincinnati.  It has really benefited Northern Kentucky especially, and I think this will give them a chance to show off their aggressive economic incentives to keep some form of a hub, likely smaller.  I would not be surprised to see the governor step in with some sort of push if a merger does indeed happen.

 

I am also concerned about the non-stops to Europe - Paris, London, Frankfurt.  Not sure, but I think Rome and Amsterdam might be seasonal.  European companies doing business here, and American companies doing business there find this very attractive, plus it is nice for leisure travel.  I am wondering now, even though they seem to have a lot of issues, if US Air would have been a better match locally as it seemed our hub might have had better odds with them.  And to keep rambling, it would have been nice if Comair had remained independent as a locally based airline.

 

Oh well, a new year, but the same speculation over M&A.

 

 

^Wait then why isn't Atlanta or Salt Lake city being charged premium prices??

I think, especially Atlanta, has enough competition to keep them honest.  Salt Lake has carriers like Southwest and even Song.   I am not sure of all the breakdowns, but Delta/Comair used to have 90% of CVG traffic.  It is at about 80% now.  We are truly a fortress hub.

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

 

I tend to agree with you...the airport and location is too good to pass up.  I think you'll also have to see what P&G, Macy's, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, 5/3, and GE have to say about the lack of a hub.  I'll doubt that they'll let it go without a fight.

 

Granted this is all speculation, but if local businesses had a say in the carriers at their local airport, then Columbus, Pittsburgh, St. Louis would still be hubs, right?

 

St. Louis is an American Airlines hub and Pittsburgh is a minor US Airway's hub

St. Louis has lost its hub status as American finished its swallowing of TWA. Pittsburgh is no longer considered a hub for US Airways, who is basically in the process of abandoning that whole area.

I think Delta is trying any and everything to get its hands on Asian routes, something that NW and UA have that the other US carriers don't.

 

 

 

With United, St. Lake and CVG (is the most expensive hub with the lowes profit marging) becomes instant targets because Denver, Chicago's O & D traffic is very large much three times the size of CVG.  In addition Delta has been building up at JFK.  United has strong international hub in DC and two focus cities at LAX and SFO.  I can see one of the West Coast cities also being dropped most likely SFO.  Or the building at JFK scrapped and it all moves to IAD, where delays are minimal.  This way NY airspace clears and a LCC enters helping to hold down some pricing.  Delta has stated they will not merge unless they keep the Delta Name and the HQ in Atlanta.  Although Chicago is less dependant on United than Atlanta is on Delta I don't see them say "ok" to this.

 

With NW, Memphis and CVG become targets.  Minneapolis gets a pass as HQ, however I think it would be reduced to a focus city, Detroit is their "world gateway" and Memphis goes bye-bye as its too close to ATL and has the least amount of market share and not enough business routes.  Almost 80% or the people that use MEM are connecting showing that O&D traffic sucks.  Although Atlanta has a high (for a hub) 65-70% connection rate they wont close it.  St. Lake goes bye-bye or turns into a focus city or goes bye-bye and the equipment is moved to DL in LAX & JFK.

 

Also the Pilots.  Delta's pilots are dont want to deal with NW.  this is one of the top hurdles.  NW management cannot be trusted.

 

Any combination will (initially) result in unhappy employees, higher fares and lower service levels.

 

Lastly the Government will have the last say.  :-P

 

^Wait then why isn't Atlanta or Salt Lake city being charged premium prices??

 

Atlanta is a super hug, and st. lake is a hub.  they charge premium pricing however they don't have the direct competition in their region as the Midwest. 

I think, especially Atlanta, has enough competition to keep them honest.  Salt Lake has carriers like Southwest and even Song.   I am not sure of all the breakdowns, but Delta/Comair used to have 90% of CVG traffic.  It is at about 80% now.  We are truly a fortress hub.

 

Atlanta doesn't have the competition. Airtran cannot keep them "honest" nor can USAir in Charlotte. 

 

CVG has a lot going for it, so even if Delta did pull completely out, I'm guessing someone else would move in.  I could see a newcomer like Virgin America taking advantage of a vacuum like that.  Obviously anything's possible though, including air travel drying up for the most part at CVG, especially since we don't even know for sure who, if anyone, is involved yet.  I'm just hoping for the best and not worrying until there's reason to, that's all.

 

I tend to agree with you...the airport and location is too good to pass up.  I think you'll also have to see what P&G, Macy's, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, 5/3, and GE have to say about the lack of a hub.  I'll doubt that they'll let it go without a fight.

 

Granted this is all speculation, but if local businesses had a say in the carriers at their local airport, then Columbus, Pittsburgh, St. Louis would still be hubs, right?

 

St. Louis is an American Airlines hub and Pittsburgh is a minor US Airway's hub

 

STL and PIT are not "hubs"  they are "focus cities" where they have lots of flights to the other hub airports and a few direct routes to high yeild destinations.

I don't see this coming out as an overall positive in any way.

 

While it would hurt to lose the hub status of Delta, it certainly wouldn't be as terrible as many people have been saying for Cincinnati.  The space that they vacate at CVG will assuredly be filled by another airliner.  Now the thing that will hurt the most is the loss of Comair, but that writing has seemed to be on the wall now for a couple of years.

 

So another new airliner would come in and most likely prices would drop at CVG (can they really go any higher).  I don't see that as a bad thing...I also doubt that you would see the direct flights overseas dropped either.  I would imagine that someone would tap into the existing/evolving infrastructure at CVG that has been and is being built to accommodate international flights.

I also doubt that you would see the direct flights overseas dropped either.  I would imagine that someone would tap into the existing/evolving infrastructure at CVG that has been and is being built to accommodate international flights.

 

Rando, US airlines run on a Hub-and-spoke system.  If Delta goes away, who will fly an international route to a destination like cinci, with low O&D passenger numbers?  Certainly not a foreign flag carrier.

 

Domestically, I can see a LCC like Airtran or SW moving in with additional flights to ATL, JFK, CLE, DTW, IAD and CHI (this might not happen with the reductions that UA & AA have at ORD) from Cinci.  International passengers at CVG will have to make a connection somewhere.