Saabs to ATL
Oct 13, 2008 | 6:11 am
#1
Original Poster
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Saabs to ATL
With some of Mesabas Saabs going to ATL, will that mean less service up north or maybe switch over to CRJs?
Oct 13, 2008 | 8:28 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I'm curious, what's your source? Other than that, I'm suprised that the Saabs would be heading to more-temperate climates, as these seem to be good winter-weather birds and have served the north-central states well over the years.
Perhaps a well-deserved, "retirement" to warmer weather?
Nevertheless, not sure what DL+NW will or can replace them with at the smaller airfields they usually serve. Let's hope that this doesn't spell the end of Airlink/Connection scheduled service to small stations like ABR, etc.
Perhaps a well-deserved, "retirement" to warmer weather?
Nevertheless, not sure what DL+NW will or can replace them with at the smaller airfields they usually serve. Let's hope that this doesn't spell the end of Airlink/Connection scheduled service to small stations like ABR, etc.
Oct 13, 2008 | 10:46 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Delta plans to open Saab 340 base at Atlanta hub
I am not too sure but I think this may affect MEM far more than any other NW hub.
I am not too sure but I think this may affect MEM far more than any other NW hub.
Oct 13, 2008 | 1:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: ROC
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Ahhh, maybe this will mean HHH (Hilton Head) service can make a return after the merger??
EDIT: Oops, just read the article linked above by flyingcat, which specifically states providing a turboprop aircraft for service to Hilton Head.
EDIT: Oops, just read the article linked above by flyingcat, which specifically states providing a turboprop aircraft for service to Hilton Head.
Oct 13, 2008 | 2:22 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I don't see why they are moving the Saabs if there is need for the service out of the NW hubs. DL should be picking up some of the Q200s from QX. They fly faster and offer more seats than the Saabs, which when you are flying to Hilton Head it would make sense to have the extra 5 seats.
Oct 13, 2008 | 3:09 pm
#6
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I don't see why they are moving the Saabs if there is need for the service out of the NW hubs. DL should be picking up some of the Q200s from QX. They fly faster and offer more seats than the Saabs, which when you are flying to Hilton Head it would make sense to have the extra 5 seats.
DL/NW is going to shuffle the aircraft around to best match their loads and needs. That's a given, and they'd be really dumb not to.
Whether some of us are fond of SkyPiles or not, all indications are that this merger is going to work. They are not following the U.S. Airways model.
Oct 13, 2008 | 4:09 pm
#7
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Oct 13, 2008 | 4:20 pm
#8
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Delta plans to open Saab 340 base at Atlanta hub
I am not too sure but I think this may affect MEM far more than any other NW hub.
I am not too sure but I think this may affect MEM far more than any other NW hub.
Oct 13, 2008 | 7:44 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: ZaeroPlan 0
Posts: 1,999
Mike: those Q200s are really nice. Muchos better than the ATR72s (thank God those are being retired). The Saabs aren't being produced anymore, and if you want to expand short-haul or even medium-haul service you want to do it with the Q200s.
Oct 14, 2008 | 6:24 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Looks like I will be on Saab's in the future from MCN-ATL. This has been anything from CRJ-700,CRJ-200, ATR-72s. The Saab's might make it easier to have more than two filghts a day.
I would be interested to see where the ATR's are put.
I would be interested to see where the ATR's are put.
Oct 14, 2008 | 12:36 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,613
Let's just clear a few things up.
- This is not an official announcement, but merely speculation. I believe however it is VERY possible for this to happen. As said, many of the "regional" routes between MEM and ATL would likely be consolidated in some form of MEM re-evaluation thus freeing up saabs as their routes get upgaged.
- The Horizon dash 8 -200s are not Q200s, but the old 200s.
- ASA is retiring their ATRs and Skywest is retiring their Brasilias, leaving Mesaba the only turboprop operator, with the saab. The saab leases were renegotiated to 5 years in Ch11, which means the leases will start to expire in about 2012.
- Lots of Q400 speculation at Mesaba as saab and CRJ200 replacement.
- This is not an official announcement, but merely speculation. I believe however it is VERY possible for this to happen. As said, many of the "regional" routes between MEM and ATL would likely be consolidated in some form of MEM re-evaluation thus freeing up saabs as their routes get upgaged.
- The Horizon dash 8 -200s are not Q200s, but the old 200s.
- ASA is retiring their ATRs and Skywest is retiring their Brasilias, leaving Mesaba the only turboprop operator, with the saab. The saab leases were renegotiated to 5 years in Ch11, which means the leases will start to expire in about 2012.
- Lots of Q400 speculation at Mesaba as saab and CRJ200 replacement.
Oct 14, 2008 | 12:53 pm
#12
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Oct 14, 2008 | 1:56 pm
#13
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Standardization is good, but why on a 900? The Q400 is more fuel efficient and carries 70+ passengers. Seems if an airline is concerned about fuel costs they would be looking at operating cost first.
Oct 14, 2008 | 2:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,613
IMO, if the Q400 was ever introduced, it would be to replace the CRJ200 and to upgage some saab routes. The Q400 i stoo big for a direct saab replacement, but a mix of Qs could do the trick, or even a mix of the ATR family. Yes, it would be introducing a new type, but we would eventually see the saab go away. If the fleet size is large enough, the economies of scale would justify adding a fleet type.
Oct 14, 2008 | 5:43 pm
#15
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Now the Q400 is an appealing option (and Alaska's free beer in coach made it even more appealing
).