Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Alaska reported 6% higher mainline capacity, this quarter and expects it grow another 4% in Q4. The carrier is expanding its service between San Diego and Hawaii, with the launch of daily nonstop flight to Honolulu in November. Hawaii now accounts for about 20% of the network for Alaska.
Its frustrating to watch this. After Aloha/ATA pulled out of Hawaii there was a huge opportunity left behind. Prior to the Alaska flights just added out of San Diego, Hawaii flying represented 15% of Alaska's total flying yet has been been netting them 35% of their total profits.
I have heard wonderful things about Hauenstein. Watched as we added new international destination only to soon retract them. Not sure why he would overlook this oppertunity. Hawaii flying was a no brainer yet we have been and still are happy to let Alaska (and soon SWA) run away with it (we have actually reduced our HI flying). Could be I don't see the big picture (ie Delta is pulling back/reducing any overlap with Alaska for a future merger). If this is not the case it seems asinine to let an obvious profitable market go to other competitors. Does delta want to make more money? They could have, had they bumped up Hawaii flying starting a couple years ago. Scratching head.
