OKC/Will Rogers Air Service Discussion

[SkyWestOKC]

Also, would like to add, that the OKC-LAX market has grown this year. The O/D for Quarter 2, 2010 was 222 passengers per day. (111 each way). Quarter 2, 2009 was 176 pax per day (88 each way). That does not count connecting passengers, which these flights have. Growing market with growing connection opportunities, hopefully all 3 of our LAX flights will work.

[ljbab728]

Also, would like to add, that the OKC-LAX market has grown this year. The O/D for Quarter 2, 2010 was 222 passengers per day. (111 each way). Quarter 2, 2009 was 176 pax per day (88 each way). That does not count connecting passengers, which these flights have. Growing market with growing connection opportunities, hopefully all 3 of our LAX flights will work.

The possibilites for connections are significant because LAX rarely has weather related issues. When making connections at LAX the chance of delays or missed connections are much less than when connecting in Denver or SLC especially during Winter months.

[HOT ROD]

those times sound good.

I too hope the three flights to LA work and more are added (and/or bumped up). Could Delta be next?

[ljbab728]

those times sound good.

I too hope the three flights to LA work and more are added (and/or bumped up). Could Delta be next?

It's not likely another airline will jump into this any time soon. If so, they should look at Ontario Airport instead of LAX. I took the old nonstops that we used to have into Ontario and while it's not as convenient to many areas, the airport is considerably less congested and easier to navigate to and from.

[HOT ROD]

lj, I dont doubt what you're saying. I only mentioned Delta because they are supposedly trying to consider if they want to expand in LA.

[BG918]

It's not likely another airline will jump into this any time soon. If so, they should look at Ontario Airport instead of LAX. I took the old nonstops that we used to have into Ontario and while it's not as convenient to many areas, the airport is considerably less congested and easier to navigate to and from.

Ah, ExpressJet, how I miss thee. Great airline but just couldn't compete with the big boys.

[SkyWestOKC]

Here's some desirable markets for the OKC area, and hopefully in the next few years we will see permanent service of some kind to some these destinations.

Using Q2, 2010 data.

New York City, 316 passengers per day on average, 158 each way.
Orlando, FL, 277 passengers per day on average, 138.5 each way.
Seattle, WA, 192 passengers per day on average, 96 each way.
San Diego, CA, 161 passengers per day on average, 80.5 each way.
Tampa, FL, 150 passengers per day on average, 75 each way.
San Antonio, TX, 149 passengers per day on average, 74.5 each way.
Sacramento, CA, 136 passengers per day on average, 68 each way.
San Francisco, CA, 122 passengers per day on average, 61 each way.**

*If Oakland and San Jose, both very nearby cities are included to SFO's numbers, SFO becomes 216 avg. per day, 108 e/w.

In a related note, the OKC airport has agreed to a contract with InterVISTAs, a well-known airline, airport, and transportation consultant to help recruit more air service to OKC. They have done work for many similar sized airports, as well very large ones such as LAX, SEA, TPA, etc. They are also clients of many airlines. Hopefully they can present OKC's case to airlines and get some more nonstops going for us.

[HOT ROD]

sounds good.

Given the demand for NYC, I wonder why there is only CO to EWR and a regional jet at that. Why not a regional jet to EWR on United/CO AND something to JFK on say Jet Blue!!!! Also, I wonder why Alaska Air isn't capturing the Seattle demand. They could easily turn one of their mtc trips into a revenue flight, much like AA does with many to Tulsa. Orlando. Orlando. Orlando. ...... Hmm, can't really figure this one out other than the placement of flights always seems to be issues on the OKC-ORL route; I wonder why EVERY airline that tries it keeps using the SAME departure time (which has always/consistently failed).

Hopefully, InterVISTA can help with not only marketing OKC but PROPERLY marketing OKC so we can capture/expand in some of those cities on SkyWest's list. Again, if we're going to do ORL then we need the flight to match public demand and not just put a plane in so it can be routed to 'better serve' Omaha, for example. OKC is the bigger market yet OMA has better demand, so I would think it wouldn't matter as much for OMA as much as it did for OKC when the departures took place.

I think you could also most probably combine Sacramento (only 80 miles away) into SFO numbers too, bringing the total for the SFO/Northern California to at least 352 - more than justifying United to have a mainline presence. Similarly, you could combine ORL and TPA markets to get 427. Hope InterVISTA can do the math and put these 'easy' pitches in play. Might make things a bit easier to sell if they created some promotions (like NBA, event/sport/hotel packages).

[okclee]

In a related note, the OKC airport has agreed to a contract with InterVISTAs, a well-known airline, airport, and transportation consultant to help recruit more air service to OKC. They have done work for many similar sized airports, as well very large ones such as LAX, SEA, TPA, etc. They are also clients of many airlines. Hopefully they can present OKC's case to airlines and get some more nonstops going for us.

This sounds like HUGE news!!

[ljbab728]

sounds good.

Given the demand for NYC, I wonder why there is only CO to EWR and a regional jet at that. Why not a regional jet to EWR on United/CO AND something to JFK on say Jet Blue!!!! departures took place.

JFK is only convenient for those making international connections or traveling to the Eastern NYC metro area. Most business and vacation travelers are headed to Manhattan leaving EWR and LGA as the best options.

[soonerguru]

JFK is only convenient for those making international connections or traveling to the Eastern NYC metro area. Most business and vacation travelers are headed to Manhattan leaving EWR and LGA as the best options.

Agree! Getting to and from Kennedy is a haul. We need service to LaGuardia.

[HOT ROD]

guys, we wont get nonstop service to LGA and there are a variety of reasons. Our best hope for expansion to NYC right now is 1) upgrade from United/Continental to EWR of either additional flights and/or mainline and/or 2) JFK service most likely from Jet Blue.

also, getting to/from JFK isn't as hard as it used to be now with the Air Train connecting to the subway network. By getting a flight to JFK, you could serve both interests (Int'l connections to Europe/Africa AND business/tourism sectors). This is why I think OKC/InterVISTA should shoot for the non-stop route(s).

[ljbab728]

guys, we wont get nonstop service to LGA and there are a variety of reasons. Our best hope for expansion to NYC right now is 1) upgrade from United/Continental to EWR of either additional flights and/or mainline and/or 2) JFK service most likely from Jet Blue.

also, getting to/from JFK isn't as hard as it used to be now with the Air Train connecting to the subway network. By getting a flight to JFK, you could serve both interests (Int'l connections to Europe/Africa AND business/tourism sectors). This is why I think OKC/InterVISTA should shoot for the non-stop route(s).

JFK would still be a hard sell to any of my customers going to Manhattan. For the novice vacationer, I would never recommend it. And I doubt there is any more chance of getting slots for nonstops to JFK than to LGA.

[HOT ROD]

I think it is a better chance since LGA is heavily regulated and most of those slots are used for NorthEast and Chicago shuttle flights. Very rare is there anything out of LGA that goes further from those key markets. But unless JetBlue can do it - we probably don't need to worry about picking up JFK, but in my opinion it would be nice to have a presence there. Our best hope might have to come from United/Continental but that would be another flight to EWR and/or upgrade.

[ljbab728]

I think it is a better chance since LGA is heavily regulated and most of those slots are used for NorthEast and Chicago shuttle flights. Very rare is there anything out of LGA that goes further from those key markets. But unless JetBlue can do it - we probably don't need to worry about picking up JFK, but in my opinion it would be nice to have a presence there. Our best hope might have to come from United/Continental but that would be another flight to EWR and/or upgrade.

At least fares to NYC should improve with Southwest starting service into EWR and LGA. We can do EWR through STL and LGA through MDW. Other airlines will have to compete on fares.

[HOT ROD]

that is good news lj.

[SkyWestOKC]

http://www.jetblue.com/email/citysug...=where_we_fly1

Worth a shot at least.

[HOT ROD]

submitted my entry for OKC-JFK.

[SkyWestOKC]

Some new Delta changes:

OKC-DTW (Detroit) will upgrade to mainline for Friday the 19th of November.

Also, regarding Delta mainline to ATL, it will end early January. It will get added back in the beginning of March through the end of the schedule. With this change we will also gain another flight, bumping it back up to 6x daily, starting May 1, 2011.

OKC-DTW will return to 3x daily beginning May 1, 2011. All CRJ-700 for now.

This puts us at 78 total departures per day in May, according to the latest schedules.

[HOT ROD]

any idea of the mainliner delta plans to use?

[betts]

Just flew to ATL last week and it was wonderful to fly an MD 80 instead of a CRJ (forgive me if I got the particular plane wrong, as I'm not that knowledgeable about air frames, but hopefully you get my point). Both flights were absolutely packed, including the one at 6 in the morning.

[ljbab728]

any idea of the mainliner delta plans to use?

They will have an MD88.

[HOT ROD]

good news betts, hopefully we can keep it or even upgrade to 757. ....

[ljbab728]

good news betts, hopefully we can keep it or even upgrade to 757. ....

757's are nice HOT ROD, but OKC is better served to have more frequent service than by having larger planes.

[GoThunder]

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-...,2145957.story