Originally Posted by Teaeffpee

SWA lurker here, just interested in this discussion and what’s happening in AUS… plus I just enjoy a good old fashion airline turf war chat. Hope it’s okay if I hop in here. I agree that SWA is being reactionary and highly interested in defending AUS… DL is a formidable foe after all. Heard it directly from leadership in training actually. I also agree that the proximity to DAL and HOU could be problematic, unless SWA is betting its Texas future and business model shift on AUS, which is kind of what I suspect based on some internal messaging we’ve gotten. Of course though time will tell and I’m just speculating. DAL is gate and domestic flying limited by law and HOU lacks the infrastructure for any major flying mission shift. AUS has our most RON aircraft of any station and is up there on the commuter stations so I could absolutely see DAL and HOU being drawn down to mostly O&D and TX connections being moved mostly through AUS. The company appears to think that AUS is our future in Texas and will be a larger operation then both DAL and HOU by a wide margin as the network, mission, and product changes continue. I’m very curious about what the airport use and lease agreement looks like and will be watching closely. I suspect both DL and SWA will be fairly happy with the results and a good competition and solid fare deals in central Texas are brewing. Last thing I’ll say, crew planning for us put out a march vacancy projection that announced a new base without saying what city it will be. AUS is the prime suspect and we are expecting to hear by the end of this month. Something to watch I guess. DL definitely laying the groundwork for an AUS buildup and I will be watching closely.