Originally Posted by
travelnate
what shocks me is how ZK didn't bid any of these markets into ORD... i mean, that was the company's largest ops in the 90s. I remember when we used up all of F1 - F5 (well, most of F1 - there was a section blocked off for the United Freight & Mail folks).
No one bidding has an actual codeshare that will be useful. Gulfstream can't get CO to agree to use their code in STL, CapeAir has the same issues, and the one codeshare that gives them *some* flexibility doesn't fly to STL. This is going to be an independent run-down to see who can build traffic the best, and like AVS said, Caterpillar, ADM, and Tate & Lyle are not using the Decatur Airport.
I fly into Bloomington on AirTran when I can and drive down... its a shame that I just can't get a good connection back home to DEC.
There's an allegiance to St. Louis among all these small towns, that is unfounded as far as airline service is confirmed. The local leaders live in the past glory of the Ozark and TWA hubs, not understanding the modern realities.
DEC might be too close to other airports, but UIN, TBN, CGI, and MWA, would be better off soliciting RJ service to ORD, from an AA or UA regional. Don't know if the numbers would work or not, but it would be worth a look.
St. Louis is still a goto place for hospitals and baseball, but it's days as a viable airline hub are over.