Originally Posted by
Ship741
To summarize the thread, the ending of the NRT hub was a foregone conclusion years ago. We tried to pry either ANA or JAL away from AA and UAL but were unable. Combined with the opening of the runway at HND and the desire of the Japanese government to end WW 2 legacy fifth freedom rights meant we couldn't compete effectively in Japan. The fall of the CCCP combined with the proliferation of long range twins made polar over flight a common thing and lessened the importance of a Japanese hub, which had been critical with shorter ranged planes and no Russian over flight . The Japanese economy has also been very slow for the last 15 years (Japan has a negative population growth rate also).
We were left with less desirable options: KAL (which we have saved at least twice) and China Eastern. Both are developing much slower than originally envisioned, thus the A350 deferral of 10 of the 25 planes for 2 years.
Finally, isn't SAP San Pedro Sula? In Honduras? SPN is Saipan.
Yeah but...why look at the facts when you can react with pure emotion and nostalgia?
Jokes aside, for a 30 second analysis I think you nailed it. I would add to it the proliferation of LCC/ULCCs in the Pacific region. I know we've all been focused on Norwegian and the ME3 but Asia has been exploding with the likes of Scoot, Indigo, Spicejet and Jetstar. You think our order for 100ish Airbuses is cool? The AirAsia group has over 350 320/321s as well as nearly 80 330/350s on order. Put it all together with your points and it's some serious headwinds for our current Pacific operation ex-NRT. You know who else clung to some cool routes to exotic places? Pan Am. In this business you either adapt or perish.