America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - HP has to jump on this

This was posted in airliners.net

What Will Happen To ATA? (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/1711666/)


ATA seeks to avert bankruptcy with asset sale
By Caroline Daniel in Chicago

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ATA is seeking buyers for its airport gates and is considering transferring the leases on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, according to several investment bankers.
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AirTran, the low-cost carrier, and Mesa, a regional carrier, are among those understood to be interested.

Although America West has been looking to expand its operations and has talked about the need for consolidation among low-cost carriers, it has been focusing on Airbus aircraft.
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I'm not sure if ATA is selling just gates or if routes are part of the deal., but this would present a great opportunity for HP to expand. ATA's operations(Route map (http://www.americantransair.com/reservations/routemap.html)) are pretty significant for a LCC. The chicago-Mexico routes alone would be worth the deal, not to mention some of the carribean destinations.

If they pass on this and let Airtran or B6 gain a this kind of operation, then HP will most likely be on their way to becoming the third largest LCC.

Anyone have a direct line to Mr. Parker?

I have been irritated for a while that AWA abandoned Chicago Midway, since I utilized the LAS-MDW red-eye to connect with Southwest. I have scheduled ATA for this route now. Sine AWA abandoned MDW, maybe they have no interest in these routes?

I don't know what I think about leaving ORD and going to MDW, but if this meant a further east hub for HP, that could be a good thing, at least for me!

But would HP really go for another hub? Chicago seems like a much better place in some ways, although it seems like weather would be a big downside to this.

I guess we will just have to see what happens!

I don't know what I think about leaving ORD and going to MDW, but if this meant a further east hub for HP, that could be a good thing, at least for me!


I completely agree. I wish HP would expand east coast operations (Before I get chastised, yes, I know they used to have this in Ohio earlier.)

But would HP really go for another hub? Chicago seems like a much better place in some ways, although it seems like weather would be a big downside to this.


It cannot be worse than the old one.

It could get exciting though. :)