DL ends GUM Jan 2018
Sep 18, 2017, 11:52 am
#46
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I think the only event that would preserve a sizable DL presence in Japan is the increase of HND slots. It's not likely they will ever get enough slots to replicate what they have even at this very moment, but if DL can secure just three more daytime slots - for SEA, DTW and ATL or JFK, then HND will become a LHR-style point-to-point destination while ICN and PVG take care of the rest. If overnight slots become available, maybe DL pushes for a HND-HNL service too.
But yeah, as a resident of Japan it's just sad to see how rapidly DL is pulling out. Long term, it may even be a mistake. Every major route DL has pulled out of without a major LCC presence (BKK, LAX, JFK) has been picked up by either JL or NH. NH is starting a 3rd daily TYO-LAX, JL increased capacity to JFK and NH increased NRT-BKK as well.
But yeah, as a resident of Japan it's just sad to see how rapidly DL is pulling out. Long term, it may even be a mistake. Every major route DL has pulled out of without a major LCC presence (BKK, LAX, JFK) has been picked up by either JL or NH. NH is starting a 3rd daily TYO-LAX, JL increased capacity to JFK and NH increased NRT-BKK as well.
Sep 18, 2017, 11:56 am
#47
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I've to Guam three times since April, all on Delta. The flights aren't empty. They're full.
Sep 18, 2017, 2:20 pm
#48
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Sep 18, 2017, 2:28 pm
#49
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Times change and DL has to prioritize the bottom line over nostalgia
Sep 18, 2017, 3:17 pm
#51
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Sep 18, 2017, 4:24 pm
#52
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Most of this thread ignores the JV with KE. This means that there is effective revenue-sharing and zero reason to serve a dwindling market.
Anybody who thinks that DL ought to serve a route now because NW did in the past, ought to call NW customer service. The phone just rings and rings and rings.
Indeed DL has a loyal base in GUM, but it only has a population of approx. 160,000. That is the size of a small-to-midsize market with no cachement area around. The route needs Japanese tourism to survive and that is dying off.
Anybody who thinks that DL ought to serve a route now because NW did in the past, ought to call NW customer service. The phone just rings and rings and rings.
Indeed DL has a loyal base in GUM, but it only has a population of approx. 160,000. That is the size of a small-to-midsize market with no cachement area around. The route needs Japanese tourism to survive and that is dying off.
I don't get why this is such a big deal. NRT is done. KE serves GUM, so DL will naturally route US-GUM pax via ICN. This was pretty much expected IMO.
I think it would be worth doing some marketing in Guam on DL's part. Emphasize that KE will allow pax to connect to DL's network.
I think it would be worth doing some marketing in Guam on DL's part. Emphasize that KE will allow pax to connect to DL's network.
Sep 18, 2017, 6:17 pm
#53
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DL will definitely admit it. Loudly! DL threatned to dramatically scale back Japan operations if they weren't give a bunch of HND slots. They weren't given a bunch of HND slots, so they are scaling back Japan operations. Exactly like they said they would do.
Sep 18, 2017, 6:33 pm
#54
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PVG and ICN are the gateways of the future.
Sep 18, 2017, 7:01 pm
#55
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You're right, but DL has yet to add any JV flights for customers flying to or from GUM. For example, if you try to book GUM-DTW on 15 January, based on your response above a customer should be able to fly GUM-ICN on KE and ICN-DTW on DL, but DL does not offer that as an option. You would think that DL would at least get the JV flights up and running before deciding to yank the plug on this one - too bad for the loyal DL GUM customers
Sep 18, 2017, 7:06 pm
#56
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Sep 18, 2017, 7:10 pm
#58
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Sep 18, 2017, 7:10 pm
#59
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Sep 18, 2017, 11:18 pm
#60
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I also think that with DL loosing the GSA city pair for GUM the other year that they saw a significant drop in business. Plus they are limited in what aircraft they can fly to GUM whereas UA has the 777 and can drive the price down.
DL does have a loyal following on GUM but DL isn't in the business of competing for business these days.
Further speculation, I wonder if the recent actions of North Korea have anything to do with this decision. If so, they'd certainly not publicize it. Going to back to the previous comments, you would think with the military DL could sustain at least some frequency even if not daily anymore