Originally Posted by KingofClubs
hmm..well true, but how much of Aloha's flying is Mesa covering?? 4-6 planes is not a lot... I'd guess that Aloha and Hawaiian make bank bringing people from the mainland. I'm guessing they can match a few routes at $39.... But you are right, JO can afford to last longer. But, i'm guessing he will never fill his flights.
What kind of press is he getting over there? is the average traveler excited about this new airline?? where they very high in the first place?? Indy had a warm welcome all over the east coast thanks to the high ticket prices out there.
I suspect that the way this is going to work out is that some locals will stick with the legacies, since they also use them to go to the mainland.
Mesa will get some local traffic, but I'd bet dollars to pineapples that a code share with one or more mainland majors will be announced soon...the mainland tourist traffic will go for the codeshare so they can stick with THEIR home airline and get their frequent fliers. I'm guessing confidently that that is a key part of the business plan.
The 4-6 planes is just for starters...and it sounds like 900's are in the long-term plan.