Originally Posted by
sailingfun
Most of the prior order for Alaska are replacement. A large portion of this order is replacement. Over the next 10 years they are going to average just over 2 growth airframes a year. We will average almost 20 growth airframes a year over the next 3 years.
Alaska Airlines currently operates 120 Boeing 737s. The new firm aircraft order, plus 25 existing firm delivery positions, give the carrier the flexibility to manage its fleet size to meet air travel demand over the next decade. Two-thirds of the aircraft are expected to replace older airplanes. The remaining firm orders and options will enable Alaska Airlines to grow assuming sufficient customer demand and that the company continues to achieve its profit and return on invested capital goals.
I see from their press release 50 + 25 jets = 75 jets and of those 2/3s are replacement. The remaining 25 jets will enable Alaska to grow.
As to us versus them, to me it's %. If Alaska used 12 pilots per plane (for example) they'd have 1440 pilots. Add a net of 25 more planes and the plug now goes from 100% to sitting around 83%.
If we net 40 new planes with the 717s and we staff at 12 pilots per plane (for example) we'd grow from 10,500 to 10,980 pilots. The plug now goes from 100% to 96%.
Now the question to me is, are they adding 25 more planes because of us?