Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Southwest comes to New York. Eventually.
It looks like Southwest, the low cost carrier that grew to enormous proportions based on a strategy of using under-utilized secondary airports is now poised to fully crack the New York City market sometime next year.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Southwest is buying the operating certificate and gates and slots of now defunct ATA Airlines for 7+ million dollars. This will allow Southwest to fly 7 flights a day in and out of New York City proper. Currently, the airline has operations out of Islip on Long Island, but does not fly out of any of the major airports in the New York area. When these flights will start isn't exactly clear. The current slots are leased to AirTran Airways and will be in use through at least sometime in 2009, unless Southwest can buy out those leases earlier.
Also, Southwest is purchasing ATA's operating certificate which may allow Southwest to begin international operations to Mexico and the Caribbean, something that ATA once did and that Southwest is looking into. It makes a lot of sense, and as Brett at Cranky Flier guesses, it is probably great for Chicago bound travelers as it the most likely primary destination for those flights. (It might however come at the expense of Delta's increased LGA-Chicago Midway operation)
According to the Houston Chronicle, Southwest is buying the operating certificate and gates and slots of now defunct ATA Airlines for 7+ million dollars. This will allow Southwest to fly 7 flights a day in and out of New York City proper. Currently, the airline has operations out of Islip on Long Island, but does not fly out of any of the major airports in the New York area. When these flights will start isn't exactly clear. The current slots are leased to AirTran Airways and will be in use through at least sometime in 2009, unless Southwest can buy out those leases earlier.
Also, Southwest is purchasing ATA's operating certificate which may allow Southwest to begin international operations to Mexico and the Caribbean, something that ATA once did and that Southwest is looking into. It makes a lot of sense, and as Brett at Cranky Flier guesses, it is probably great for Chicago bound travelers as it the most likely primary destination for those flights. (It might however come at the expense of Delta's increased LGA-Chicago Midway operation)
Labels: AirTran, ata, lga, new york, new york city, southwest, travel
Roger, 4:43 PM
