Originally Posted by
NoAgenda
Respectfully disagree, sir. The debt servicing differential (which is in excess of $15 Billion) plus the older fleet (i.e., not paying high lease or ownership cost for new aircraft) make Delta poised to weather a downturn without parking an equal amount of planes.
So, what you're saying is that while UAL and AAL park aircraft because of week demand, we will continue to fly our fleet with 55-60% load factor because we have money to burn?
I guess it is impossible to know or argue about this because it will all depend on the severity of the downturn. I agree we will be in a better position financially.
I think we will do everything necessary to limit the bleeding, which will include decreasing service to meet demand, and thus, parking aircraft. I hope we never find out.
Edit: I reread my original post and I said we would park an equal amount of aircraft, which might not be accurate. If we were smart, we could grow into markets abandoned by UAL and AAL to prevent the LCC's from taking advantage of the downturn. Again, I hope we never find out.