Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

AirTran currently suffers from delays due to ATL. The delays have a big impact through the AirTran (FL) network. With the possibility of a merger with U.S. Airways (US) and Delta Airlines (DL) what impact will this have on FL? It seems likely that the flight load at ATL would increase. This would put a bigger strain on FL. Would they simply scale back their ATL hub and shift the flights elsewhere as part of an effort to cut back on delays? Would they cut ATL down to a focus city level and open a new hub somewhere else?

I personally don't see how FL can absorb any additional delays. Their record is bad enough and they need to do something to resolve this problem. If this merger goes through I hope the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Airport Authority takes it upon themselves to make a pitch to get FL to build a new hub here and possibly even relocate their main hub here. We will be able to offer them relatively delay free operations that would greatly improve their record. The new terminal would also allow them to boost their image much like it did for NW when the new terminal opened in DTW.

What are your thoughts?

Member

Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Location: St. Louis, MO

They're not moving from Atlanta. They're not giving up on Atlanta.

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

They can stay and deal with a growing DL schedule and delays. Or they ca think out their ops a bit down there and help fix some of their delay problems. And their delays are a problem. A big problem.