If history is any marker, UA has always protected this market vigorously. Years ago, it was UA & PSA on the intra-state market between these two cities, and they have upped the ante every time some carrier makes a move. DL, AA, US, etc., have all tried to get more market share and lost each & every time, driving them all either out of the market, or cutting back to minimal daily service.
And it is a HUGE O&D city pairing. There are loads of connections on either end, granted, but the O&D traffic is VERY high.