Originally Posted by
LuvJockey
FliFast - that article is interesting, but you'll note that those incentives mentioned are available to any airline implementing service to BWI as a destination airport. If you didn't mean to suggest that SWA received preferential treatment, I must have read it wrong.
LJ,
Actually, I did mean to say that Southwest receives pref. treatment. Allow me to explain.
From various articles over the years, postings on message boards and some other sources, Southwest is courted by many cities.
Hopefully, we can both agree when Southwest starts in a city they bring along the "Southwest effect". In simple terms, they lower the average fares out of that city.
Cities like Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Buffalo all have approached (past tense) Southwest to start service to their city. "They" as mentioned in my previous sentence are local business leaders, Chamber of Commerce, local government and of course the presiding airport authority.
To define what I mean by preferential treatment is that Southwest is courted by these local figures to start service to their city and the enticement is in a variety of incentives. The usual ones are reduce/suspended landing fees, lowered rent and sometimes shared monies for marketing. I would doubt seriously that let's say the city of Buffalo was courting Southwest and courting a legacy carrier at the same time...this is what I mean by preferential treatment. They prefer the Southwest Effect to come to their city vs another legacy carrier to charge $700 one way (just a figure I used to prove a point).
As a new entrant to a city, yes Southwest receives incentives to start flying there. I would venture a guess, and only a guess, that of all the cities courting airlines to start service to their city, Southwest probably is at the top spot or near the top.
Clear as mud ? You mentioned you're a Southwest employee and I know you know all of this. It is actually a compliment to your airline that your airline is courting by many cities and receives incentives to start service to some (not all.i.e. DEN) of the cities.
And the last point, Southwest has always had a conservative growth plan. A few new destinations every year is their proven plan. However, when they start in a new city it is with more than just one flight a day. It's probably safe to say that each city is a mini-hub or the catch phrase of Focus City comes to mind. This makes Southwest a more desirable entrant versus the airline that starts new serive and only offers 5 flights a week.
Again, LuvJockey, it's a compliment and no reason to take offense. If you would like more info, web links, articles, etc on other cities that have offered SWA incentives to start flying there, PM me. I don't want to get too far off the thread.
FF