Site Admin

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

Is Delta decreasing service?

"f) Consider for approval the First Amendment to Agreement and Lease of Premises with Delta Air Lines for the reduction of terminal leased space effective November 1, 2006. Board Paper 212-06"

This is on the agenda for friday's meeting of the airport authority.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

Interesting. It looks like they're dropping the M88 on the CVG route. It also looks like they're dropping one M88 flight and one E70 flight going to ATL and replacing those with CRJ's. They're technically "adding" a third flight to JFK, but it's a one-stop via CVG, so they're actually not adding another flight from Indy.

So with all that, especially the reduction of a couple M88's each day, do you suppose they're thinking of using walk-up boarding for the RJ's instead of ramps? They could reduce their leased space by one gate and have people walk out to the RJs. The only thing they really need a ramp for are the M88s to Atlanta.

Or maybe they're just bowing to the LCC pressure here, and they'll try to make their money elsewhere?

Or do you think there's something else going on?

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

I know they already use walk up boarding for the RJ's. How many gates do the have currently? It just seems interesting that they are reducing their service by even more.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

And I wonder if they're consolidating gate space at other non-hub airports. Lest we forget, they're still in bkruptcy, right?

Site Admin

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

Ok here is how I sort of remember it going since I haven't been in the B concourse in quite a while. It used to be Delta had 3 gates, Independence had one and American had 2. Independence kicked the bucket but I don't know if AA ever leased that gate or if it became a common use gate. I don't know if AA ever added additional flights so it may very well be a common use gate. If Delta is cutting back space they may very well be going to a 2 gate lease as well. Will the one (maybe two gates depending on AA) gate be leased by someone else?

Come to think of it does this reduction in space even involve gates?

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

2 adjacent gates, you say? Have you envisioned them painted shades of BLUE?

Site Admin

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

Or perhaps space for Frontier and Midwest Connect if AirTran was looking to expand service more. Or maybe it will collect dust lol.

Member

Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 248
Location: Lexington ky

why would midwest connect need another gate i cant see frontier either its eaither for jet blue or a major gate move for more airtran gates

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

I don't see any future gate changes at this point, it just doesn't seem worth it now.

Site Admin

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

I was meaning Frontier and Midwest moving to free up room. But I don't know if its needed. I don't know if AirTran has the equipment to increase flights enough to justify the gates. Unless they were wanting to use 1, 2, 3 and 4 which is only 1 additional gate instead of using 1, 3, 10 and maybe one other. I think C10 is still a common use gate. I don't think AirTran has officially leased that gate. Maybe that is why they have never leased it?

Member

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

i thought that Delta and AA filled up the service out of there pretty well, with both of their schedules warranting all 3 gates at least at one point and time during the day. The addition of one more airline into B probably wouldn't disturb anybody's operations at all. In fact, if it's possible, I'm surprised Midwest or Frontier *hasnt* moved over there. B is cheaper.

Member

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

BTW, I thought the M88 to CVG was dropped a while ago?

And I remember when I was in Cleveland flying Delta, they used the gates to walk on the bridge and enter the CRJ's.

Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 142
Location: IND

don't forget, "lease space" can be something as big as a counter and as small as a piece of carpet.

They could be moving the luggage service office, or they could be shedding stoarge or office space (common in bankruptcy) under the gate area.

AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

I remember flying the MD-88 from IND-CVG and it seemed to be a VERY short flight...up and down.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

All the CVG flights are only about 20-25 actual minutes from takeoff to landing. I don't think you get up above 10,000 feet - anyone know?

I took the M88 to CVG back in July and several times beforehand. It was the first flight of the morning - 0545, I think. It was usually about half full at most.

AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

Even the IND-ATL flight is short.

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

I thought IND-ATL was about 2 hours, I know thats short, but at least you get to a decent cruising altitude.

AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

I think the IND-ATL flight is about 1 hour 39 minutes or even less. It is only 470 miles.

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

Longer than ORD