U.S. rivals try to keep Air Canada’s Washington plan from taking off
Apr 10, 2012, 8:35 pm
#1
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U.S. rivals try to keep Air Canada’s Washington plan from taking off
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle2397706/
As Air Canada applies to launch new flights from British Columbia’s most populous city to Washington, D.C., rival U.S. carriers are painting Lotusland as a small “local market” that is not on the same scale as the California destination.
The Canadian airline is seeking U.S. approval to introduce daily non-stop service between Vancouver and Reagan National Airport, backed by glowing letters of recommendation for Canada’s West Coast, including one from B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, who touts the ability to “ski, golf and sail on the same day,” and its “remarkable dining.”
But six American rivals are objecting to Air Canada’s plans, saying Vancouver would be merely a pit stop in the Canadian airline’s plans to siphon traffic from the U.S. capital and send passengers to Asia, bypassing U.S. connections.
As Air Canada applies to launch new flights from British Columbia’s most populous city to Washington, D.C., rival U.S. carriers are painting Lotusland as a small “local market” that is not on the same scale as the California destination.
The Canadian airline is seeking U.S. approval to introduce daily non-stop service between Vancouver and Reagan National Airport, backed by glowing letters of recommendation for Canada’s West Coast, including one from B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, who touts the ability to “ski, golf and sail on the same day,” and its “remarkable dining.”
But six American rivals are objecting to Air Canada’s plans, saying Vancouver would be merely a pit stop in the Canadian airline’s plans to siphon traffic from the U.S. capital and send passengers to Asia, bypassing U.S. connections.
Apr 10, 2012, 9:04 pm
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Well, the only honest application for DCA exceptions was AS with LAX, since they truly don't benefit very much from feed.
Don't tell me that UA won't hope for routings through ORD or SFO to Asia (or Europe, in the case of CHI).
Don't tell me that UA won't hope for routings through ORD or SFO to Asia (or Europe, in the case of CHI).
Apr 10, 2012, 11:23 pm
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We learned from the softwood lumber debacle that the value of the US President's signature on a trade agreement is lower than a snake's belly. I don't see why air travel would be any different. Simply can't be trusted to negotiate anything in good faith.
Apr 11, 2012, 1:10 am
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Note the flight times though, west-bound in the morning (just in time for connections to Asia) and east-bound in the afternoon (after Asia arrivals). I don't really know how much they could really accomplish with an A319, but I think the O&D traffic for YVR-DCA is pretty low at best which should leave lots of seats for connecting passengers.
Apr 11, 2012, 7:28 am
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Apr 11, 2012, 10:06 am
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Except for ICN. YYZ-ICN stops in YVR. You can save about 100 miles and 1 stop heading straight to YVR. In reality, how much traffic is there DCA-xxx-ICN? I doubt there is enough to justify a new route.
I think this could help the other way around. YVR-DCA-Africa.
Oh wait, this is DCA, not IAD.
I think this could help the other way around. YVR-DCA-Africa.
Oh wait, this is DCA, not IAD.
Apr 11, 2012, 10:10 am
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Apr 11, 2012, 10:13 am
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Apr 11, 2012, 10:24 am
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Don't get me wrong ACYYZ/SD, I'm not criticizing AC for trying. In fact, kudos and admiration for the chutzpah. But we all know what the deal is here. If there was enough YVR demand from DC and the southeast US, UA would have started IAD-YVR service years ago. I just find it amusing/ironic/hypocritical that AC peddles US-YYZ-Asia/Europe at discounted fares while railing against EK for doing essentially the same thing YYZ-DXB-the world.