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Just heard that AirTran is adding flights to MKE and DCA beginning in October. Are they doing this to compete with Republic/Midwest? I believe the article states that they also plan to add flights to MKE.

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They are adding flights to BWI, not DCA.

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I edited the thread title to reflect BWI instead of DCA. If FL was committed to MKE the IND-MKE flight would make sense. But the IND-BWI flight to me indicates there may be some doubt. Why would you add that route if you have a hub just a short hop to the north?

MKE isn't going to last for FL. That market is just too saturated with service to try and build a nearly feed only hub.

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BWI may be a good return for them since they only compete with Southwest on that segment.

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There are other segments in my opinion that make better sense. LAX for example which has only 1 daily nonstop on it. Or SFO with none. Or one of our former top destinations in LAS with 2 nonstop flights starting this fall. The FL route map still shows LAS and LAX but I have no idea when these supposedly run.

BTW this winter there will be 18 daily departures for FL from IND. That is the highest yet.

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SFO would be nice to get back. I've also heard that SAN and PDX have high demands also. I'm still surprised that no other airline has entered into the IND-LAS market in the wake of ATA's demise and NW/DL pulling back.

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bwi makes sense to me because it gives you more options to a lot of places

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Have to admit - I'm surprised by the additions, but hey, whatever works ... and hopefully it does ...

I like the new airport but it's sad to see all the time and effort spent and flights being pulled back.

Las Vegas to Indianapolis would be a good Frontier route ... a pipe dream, but I'm just sayin'...

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Unless YX goes away or they somehow end up merging with FL which isn't going to happen now that Republic owns them there is no way MKE is going to work for FL. Maybe they can pull it off very short term and they can absorb the losses. But where do they honestly see MKE going?

The Milwaukee metro area has had relatively flat population growth since about 1970. It has increased some. Indianapolis on the other hand has grown significantly since 1970. People will try and use Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago as an excuse. Well they have a hub there now and being close to Chicago hasn't helped. People in the Chicago area are going to go to ORD before they make the drive to MKE. Maybe even MDW.

But lets assume that FL is going to play a dangerous game and try and force a hub where the flights are filled predominately with feed. How much space do they have? MKE isn't an ideal hub airport. It works somewhat for YX but the space just isn't there to handle FL's growth for the next 20 years.

How does space compare with IND? FL could right now lease a total of 8 to 10 gates. The space exists right now. The concourses are bright and spacious. And the design of the airport allows for growth for 20+ years. If FL's growth allowed for it the terminal could be expanded by another 20 gates giving FL a maximum of 30. If by some wild stretch of the imagination the global economy booms for the next 20 to 30 years, jet fuel remains cheap, and the Indianapolis market explodes they could expand with a satellite terminal giving at least 40 more gates.

The terminal now offers the shortest taxi times around along with fast and easy hydrant fueling. The airport is centrally located making it perfect for connections. Also a great deal of the routes are south of the Chicago block. A majority of the MKE routes have to fly through Chicago traffic making it susceptible to delays.

Why would you invest in a market that has little physical room for expansion and a market that has seen little growth in nearly 40 years with no promise of a change? Why would you enter a market thin on O&D where a hub already exists? Doesn't seem like a wise or well thought out move.

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Here is the official AirTran press release.


AirTran Airways Announces New Routes From Milwaukee and Baltimore/Washington
ORLANDO, Fla., July 8, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today announced several new markets from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. These new routes will begin October 6, 2009, and are in addition to AirTran's extensive, existing flight schedule from these cities.

In Baltimore/Washington, the airline will begin offering service to Indianapolis and New Orleans. In Milwaukee, AirTran will begin serving Indianapolis and Pittsburgh while increasing service to Denver from once to twice daily. In addition, seasonal service will return from Milwaukee to Phoenix and to Fort Lauderdale on November 19, 2009.

"AirTran Airways is connecting these important business and leisure markets with our low-cost, high-quality, all-Boeing jet service," said Kevin Healy, senior vice president, marketing and planning. "By offering affordable business class, complimentary XM Satellite Radio and within a week, Inflight Internet on every flight, we're raising the bar on what passengers should expect from a low-cost airline."

In October, AirTran will offer 36 flights to 19 cities per day from Milwaukee and 52 flights to 21 cities from Baltimore/Washington.

The following nonstop flights to and from Baltimore/Washington will be available beginning October 6, 2009:

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency Equipment
Indianapolis Baltimore/ 807 6:20 a.m. 7:55 a.m. Daily 717
Washington
Indianapolis Baltimore/ 598 6:44 p.m. 8:19 p.m. Daily 737
Washington
Baltimore/ Indianapolis 595 8:27 a.m. 10:12 a.m. Daily 717
Washington
Baltimore/ Indianapolis 599 7:55 p.m. 9:40 p.m. Daily 717
Washington
Baltimore/ New Orleans 141 3:21 p.m. 5:11 p.m. Daily* 717
Washington
New Orleans Baltimore/ 142 5:05 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Daily* 717
Washington

*Does not operate Tuesday and Wednesday between October 6 and November 18,
2009



The following nonstop flights to and from Milwaukee will be available beginning October 6, 2009:

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency Equipment
Milwaukee Denver 893 7:55 p.m. 9:25 p.m. Daily 737
Denver Milwaukee 404 8:05 a.m. 11:20 a.m. Daily 737
Milwaukee Indianapolis 353 6:45 p.m. 8:45 p.m. Daily 717
Indianapolis Milwaukee 342 8:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Daily 737
Milwaukee Pittsburgh 738 6:40 p.m. 9:10 p.m. Daily 717
Pittsburgh Milwaukee 490 7:35 a.m. 8:05 a.m. Daily 717



The following nonstop flights to and from Milwaukee will return on November 19, 2009:

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency Equipment
Milwaukee Phoenix 490 8:45 a.m. 11:35 a.m. Daily 737
Phoenix Milwaukee 491 12:25 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Daily 737
Milwaukee Fort 390 7:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Daily 717
Lauderdale
Fort Milwaukee 391 6:42 p.m. 8:47 p.m. Daily 717
Lauderdale



AirTran Airways is offering the following sample fares* for its new flights from Milwaukee and Baltimore/Washington. Fares listed are one-way and are valid in either direction.

BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON:

Destination Introductory Fare Lowest Walk-Up Lowest Business Class
Indianapolis $59 $117 $299
New Orleans $69 $103 $334



MILWAUKEE:

Destination Introductory Fare Lowest Walk-Up Lowest Business Class
Indianapolis $49 $104 $227
Pittsburgh $59 $147 $274

*Begins November 19, 2009



AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet, with amenities including Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.

*All fares are one-way. Introductory sale fare and lowest walk-up fare are non-refundable, and a $75 fee per person applies to any changes made after purchase plus any applicable increase in airfare. Introductory sale fares must be purchased by July 30, 2009, and travel must be completed by November 11, 2009. A first bag may be checked for a fee or up to $15 per person and a second bag may be checked for a fee of up to $25 per person. Reservations may be obtained or changed through an AirTran Airways Telephone Reservation Center for an additional $15 per person. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include per-segment tax of $3.60. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. The September 11th security fee of up to $10 is not included. Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 are not included.

Media Contacts: Christopher White
Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
678.254.7442

SOURCE AirTran Airways


Source: http://pressroom.airtran.com/p...rol-newsArticle&ID=1305522

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

Weird. 717 one way, 737 the other way...

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

I had IND-BWI and IND-MKE loads for tomorrow checked. It looks really good for BWI. First flight is over sold and second flight is nearly a sell out. Even MKE for tomorrow isn't bad by MKE standards with 76 seats sold. I wonder how long it will be before we see a 3rd BWI flight?