Originally Posted by
Fanjet
No. Like cities in the NE. Currently, AA has no service to ALB, PVD, MHT, or BTV (to name a few) but US does. As well as UA. After a merger, it is most likely that the new AA would start service from those cities to ORD. Aside from that new direct competition, there are a number of cities that AA flies to out of ORD that US doesn't serve at all, but UA does. Which is more competition for UA. And the fact that UA can't slap its code on a US flight any more, and vice versa, means more added pressure for UA.
I don't know that MHT and PVD as regional airports are great examples as to how the merger will potentially be an advantage and help increase competition. I think it's pure speculation to think that AA might add MHT-ORD or PVD-ORD. Bottom line is MHT and PVD are competing with BOS for pax. IMO Many that fly MHT and PVD are quick to look at BOS fares and drive in if the fare difference is too great - esp the casual travelers (I know I constantly drive down from NH and fly BOS routes because MHT and PWM (although a few minutes closer and easier) are cost restrictive on certain destinations). And many biz travelers, like myself, look at the number of flights into BOS vs the MHT/PVD and see that during IRROPS you will be far more likely to be screwed coming home to MHT/PVD due to the lack of flights in comparison to BOS and include that in their decision making.
So in summary, I don't think MHT and PVD are a great example for the argument you're making due to the fact they are so geographically close to a larger airport.
ALB and BTV are so small and expensive to fly through I'm not sure you'll see increased competition there, esp for flights in and out of a hub either but you could be right there - just not sure it's a big impact when you look at the bigger picture of this merger.
You could look at UA's response to JetBlue coming into PWM as well as competition with US and DL for the PWM-EWR pax with B6 PWM-JFK or US/DL PWM-LGA
Fact is majority of pax are connecting through these hubs from PWM so UA couldn't care less and their fares to EWR are typically much higher then B6, US or DL into the NYC airports.