Originally Posted by
ctownflyer
Until 2027
Of course we haven't heard a thing about paying a penalty for closing CLE's hub within the 5 years after the merger. Too bad we don't have a real newspaper in town to do some digging into that situation.
I really think that in some circles, even some UA analysts might think that eliminating (rather than significantly reducing) the hub in CLE may not have been the best course of action (especially when the current cost of fuel is considered). Putting more strain on their EWR and ORD hubs to pick up the traffic HAS to have increased IRROPS at those already crowded airports. They have to continue paying that lease, and many of the new flights that are initiating in Cleveland are simply competing with exist UA regional jet routes, as well as facing intense competition now on the leisure destinations. It's not like the greater Cleveland area is a low population area. The population may not be growing, but there's no mistaking that Cleveland is on the upswing, and could be in line for increased business growth.
Of course, this is all wild speculation on my part, and means nothing. But it is possible!