Airguide Online - Low Cost Airline News - North America

Oct 22, 2007

Discount airlines work to set themselves apart. The days of all discount airlines following Southwest’s path are coming to an end. Now, airlines are working to appeal to certain subsets of travelers. Some are trying to attract hardcore penny-pinchers, while others offer luxurious amenities. Oct 16, 2007

Discounters in long-haul markets. Discount airlines are taking flight on long-haul routes, offering low prices and, in many cases, direct flights to weary business travelers tired of taking indirect flights in an effort to save company dollars. Oct 15, 2007

Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines and Continental two of the largest U.S. carriers, posted higher quarterly earnings on Thursday Oct. 18 as fuller planes and fare increases helped offset soaring fuel costs. The earnings from Southwest and Continental are the latest sign that the U.S. airline industry’s recovery from a long slump remains on track despite a slowing U.S. American Airlines this week also posted better-than-expected earnings, benefiting from tighter cost controls and lower capacity in the United States. Oct 18, 2007

Frontier Airlines, Lynx Aviation

Frontier Airlines is relying on regional partners to bridge the gap until its new Lynx Aviation subsidiary receives FAA certification. Some of the flying scheduled for Lynx currently is being operated under contracts with Horizon Air, ExpressJet Airlines and Republic Airways. The company does not know when it will receive FAA approval, a Frontier spokesperson said. Initially, Lynx was scheduled to begin flying Oct. 1 with two Bombardier DHC-8-Q400s. It eventually will operate 10 of the turboprops. Tickets were booked and routes scheduled but Lynx was never certificated. Frontier juggled schedules and consolidated some flying but still needs the extra capacity afforded by the partners. Republic is operating Embraer E-170s under a long-term contract while ExpressJet is working under a more flexible arrangement. The partnership with Horizon is being phased out, most likely by year end. Oct 19, 2007

Skybus Airlines

Skybus Airlines will add a second daily Columbus-Greensboro flight from Jan. 6 and will operate a third daily CMH-Punta Gorda/Fort Myers service Jan. 6-March 31. Flights from CMH to Bellingham and one of two daily Burbank flights will be discontinued Jan. 6 and the startup’s San Diego service will end March 7. CEO Bill Diffenderffer said the adjustments were “based primarily on the sharp increase in the cost of jet fuel” and the need to “find ways to use our fleet more effectively to serve more passengers in more cities.” From Dec. 17 Skybus will operate flights to St. Augustine and Punta Gorda from Portsmouth, NH, bypassing CMH for the first time. On Dec. 15 it will launch service from CMH to Chattanooga, Milwaukee, Gulfport-Biloxi and PGD, plus a second daily St. Augustine service starting two days later. Oct 17, 2007

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says the carrier is open to negotiating lower prices for corporate travel accounts in an effort to attract more business travelers. Kelly said the airline wants to fill more seats — its load factors are about 5% lower than the industry average. “We think our best opportunity is to fill seats with business travelers,” he said. Southwest just posted third-quarter profits of $162 million, more than triple the $48 million earned in the same period last year. Oct 19, 2007

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines triples Q3 earnings. Analysts say Southwest Airlines reports a rise in third-quarter profits today, as the airline has benefited from rising fare prices and higher passenger volume. Fuel costs and a one-time charge of $25 million due to the early buyout of some older workers will cut into profits. Net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 rose to $162 million, or 22 cents per share. Oct 18, 2007

Southwest Airlines

Southwest implements new boarding scheme. Southwest Airlines launches on Oct. 15 its new boarding procedure, keeping intact open seating while eliminating the need for passengers to stand in line at the gate. Passengers’ places in line will be secured by letters and numbers printed on their boarding passes, and families with small children must now wait until the A group has boarded, unless they hold A passes. Oct 15, 2007

ZZ

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