Canadian Airlines Plus - AA Seeks to Remove Codeshares from CP

Just heard that AA is seeking to remove its flight numbers from CP transborder and domestic flights.

Not entirely surprising, since CP is physically moving out of the AA space in mult-terminal airports (Toronto, LAX).

Also in the case of YVR-LAX, there will now be only flight/day operated by CP, so AA is going to have to put their own planes on the route if they want to service it well.

Thanks for the info. Funny how short "10 years" becomes when reality sets in. I wonder if AA anticipated this happening.

andrew


[This message has been edited by Andrew Webber (edited 04-03-2000).]

AC anticipating an AA withdrawal? More like AC hoping!

I am sure AC is trying to force AA out of the Canadian market, or force AA to put their own metal if they want to play. I somehow anticipate AA will just have to depend on its AS/QX codeshares.

Actually I wondered if AA anticipated being out (of CP codeshare) in less than 10 months when they signed the 10 year agreement.

I'm sure AC anticipated this happening, by cutting back to one CP flight a day on a route that had seven a day (with a slightly bigger plane now), moving CP flights out of AA's terminals, and so one. I'm not saying they're wrong to do this, I just wonder if AA knew this would happen (but the 10-year agreement was a face-saving measure) or if AC surprised them.

andrew

Has anyone actually seen this in writing. I understood that due to the continued involvement of AA from an equity standpoint that the codeshare agreement would continue in place for quite some time.

Here's what A Flygirl posted on a related thread:

"I did a cut and paste of the info. below from a Canadian bulletin to employees via e-mail. I'll see if I can find out anything specifically about stickers.

AA REMOVES CODE FROM CDN/CRA OPERATED TRANSBORDER FLIGHTS
American Airlines has removed its AA code from CDN and CRA-operated
flights between Canada and the U.S., effective April 15. With the
implementation of our integrated summer schedule, flights are often
operated into a different terminal/location than AA. AA believes
that putting their code on CDN/CRA flights has become too
logistically confusing for AA’s customers. AA, AC and CDN are in
discussions regarding AA’s concerns about these arrangements and the
future of the AA code on our domestic and transborder flights. We’ll
keep you posted as decisions are made. CDN Airport and Call Centre
agents should refer to Sabre for information on reaccommodation of
customers who were booked under the AA code on these flights for
April 15, and beyond."

Another tidbit delivered by email today.

For those that understand what a wet lease is, skip the rest of this paragraph. A wet lease is when one airline leases an aircraft from another that includes the metal, crew to operate it, and often, ground support. Because the two airlines are on paper as being "operated seperately" this is a quick fix to get around the convoluted and contradictory code-shared agreements and alliance affiliations. (FYI a dry lease involves just the metal.)

Here's the info. (another copy and paste)

"WET LEASE AGREEMENTS REACHED
In response to a commercial need to redeploy equipment on certain
routes as well as ensure the ability to codeshare with United
Airlines, Air Canada and Canadian Airlines have signed wet lease
agreements.

A wet lease agreement puts, for instance, an Air Canada flight
number on a flight which is operated on a Canadian Airlines aircraft
by Canadian In-Flight and Cockpit crews. This means the flight is
sold and distributed as an Air Canada flight. Air Canada also holds
all of the seats and Air Canada agents will handle passengers in
RESIII.

Effective April 20, Air Canada will wet lease craft and crew from
Canadian for the following Transborder flights: Calgary-San
Francisco, Vancouver-San Francisco, and Edmonton-Los Angeles. Other
routes are also being looked at."

This is one way (sneaky of course) to address the quandry of awarding UA FF credits (or any Star Alliance carrier I would think). It justifies the partnership and allows for the eligibility of Star members to be recognized on a particular route that is publicized as operated by AC yet serviced by CP.

You think you are confused? I'm staying up at nights trying to formulate on board annoucements to explain it logically! But then my problem is much more simple compared to you or yours making the booking.

Cheers! And hope this helps vs. confusing you more. Times are a-changin!

Interesting that before this "wet lease" deal that UA had lost access to 50% of it's flights SFO-YVR and SFO-YYC after they helped keep AC from being taken over by Onex / AA.

Also, what does this do to the AS codeshares on CP for the SFO-YVR market?