User talk:Stinger20/Archives/2017/February

Thursday expansion
So if delta does announce a major expansion on Thursday, including LHR, to what extent do you see delta using CVG for connections? I would think that if delta continues to add thin routes for competitive reasons then delta would look into utilizing CVG flows more frequently.

Personally, I'm still convinced that the "big expansion" will be F9. There seems to be a flurry of activity in concourse A, and frontier's schedule only goes out to 6/6. They (frontier management) also like to hold press conferences on Thursday, so I guess we'll find out soon!! Jtaylor7309 (talk) 03:22, 30 January 2017 (UTC)
 * I really really do not know what to think at this point, I see the reasons why it would be DL, but I think G4/F9 are due for an expansion, especially to respond to WN. I was thinking about F9 to ORD/IAD and finally adding SAN/PDX/SEA, which would be really nice. If its DL, there is no doubt they would need to increase connecting passengers, which will be needed to fill the economy section, as I think it would have to be a 767 for adequate cargo carrying capacity. Thats why I have been saying we might see the return of smaller routes like PIT/MSY/RIC/GRR plus some up-gauges in frequency. Though, it seems unlikely they would pull CRJ-200's just for the LHR flight. I did some calculations and Delta has another CRJ-200 running through its schedule at CVG starting this May, so who knows. I do not want to make too many predictions though, because a "big" announcement could mean a whole range of things. Stinger20 (talk) 03:37, 30 January 2017 (UTC)
 * I am hearing that it is F9, announcing new routes from CLE and CVG. That is all I know right now. Stinger20 (talk) 00:20, 31 January 2017 (UTC)


 * What do you think about some sort of delta/F9 combo announcement? There definitely is a lot going on in A right now, so I can certainly see another big frontier expansion, seeing that F9's schedule clearly needs to be extended soon. I think we are also seeing signs for a delta expansion-probably not as large of an increase as anything frontier would try to do. Plus it would be really cool to see a dual carrier announcement! Probably not too likely though. And since speculating is fun, I can see a potential F9 base at CVG-I think you said 5 aircraft will RON at CVG this summer with 80 weekly flights (at the moment)? At what point is a base more efficient than hotel rooms?


 * I just posted on A-net that the booking engine is down, so I think they are updating the schedules. This appears to be a dual CVG/CLE announcement, I am hoping they announce both cities as bases/hubs to station crew and aircraft with the addition of multiple destinations. I think a DL announcement is overall pretty unlikely, I sometimes get myself convinced it will happen as I really really want DL to expand at CVG. I think a LHR route has some merit, maybe a flight to AUS/SAN/MSY, but I am not so sure DL has a huge priority to expand CVG. I had hope when Ed Bastian took over as CEO, getting rid of the person who brought up NW's DTW hub (Richard Anderson). While DL's increases in flights began almost immediately after he became CEO, Bastian still had a direct role in eliminating MEM and reducing CVG. I would think Delta would realize they are going to loose out to WN if they do not respond and it would be really unfortunate to see DL eliminate more flights. If I was making the decisions, I would add SAN/PDX/AUS/MSY/JAX/LHR/RIC/PIT/GRR/MSN/CLE back, keeping strong connecting banks at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM, totaling 100-110 daily departures, keeping around a 50% share in the CVG market. I am not sure DL sees my same vision, I just do not get the rapid retirement of the CRJ-200's, DL already lags behind in domestic destinations served, and even more are set to be retired this year. Luckily the CRJ-200's are being slashed left and right at CVG, being replaced my larger aircraft. It just decreases the likelihood that Delta will restore smaller routes. We will see, the real test will be the expiration of its ticketing counters in 2018 and Concourse B in 2020, then we will see what Delta has planned for CVG long-term. Stinger20 (talk) 02:13, 31 January 2017 (UTC)


 * At what point, if CVG is developed into a focus city/mini-hub, do you think we'll see connecting flows through CVG? Currently, I can't possibly imagine anyone flying from DFW to PHL through CVG. However, at some point if frontier gets up to 25-30 flights a day, I can see management beginning to create mini banks in their CVG flights for connections. If this were to happen, I can imagine new routes to places on the east coast with the intent of connecting through CVG to the west coast. I've heard that all of frontier's routes are extremely successful at Cvg, but at some point O & D traffic won't be enough to sustain growth. Obviously I'm not sure what will be announced tomorrow, but 70% YOY growth is not sustainable long term!


 * I think the new routes might allow for connections like MSP-CVG-FLL or LGA-CVG-SAN. Frankly, Frontier's expansion is the least important move this week. :-). The Amazon hub is huge and will lower landing fees plus give the airport more money to subsidize routes. Also, big news, Delta is expanding at CVG!!! Just search CVG and you will see the articles, this is huge and shows that Delta is committed to CVG as a hub. CVG has really rebounded this week. Stinger20 (talk) 21:33, 1 February 2017 (UTC)


 * This week has definitely been the best week at CVG for a long time-still hoping for a G4 announcement tomorrow haha. On that note, it's been a long time since G4 announced anything-San Juan was obviously the last.

After reading through the forums, way too many people are downplaying this delta announcement. Yes, it's nothing we didn't already know from looking at timetables, and yes, it's not a huge expansion service wise. But this is the first time in recent years that delta hasn't reduced frequency by 10ish% from year to year. With 6% growth, I can only hope that growth continues! And they are expanding FLL flights, obviously competing with both F9 and G4. I was afraid that some of the leisure routes would be cut because of the LCC's (including LAS and MCO flights).

Do you know the connection percentage at Delta's CVG hub?? I seem to recall that connecting pax were 10% of total CVG pax last year, and with the lengthened banks connections should be easier/shorter now. So if delta is willing to schedule connecting flows through CVG, maybe some of the smaller routes (RIC, PIT, GRR, etc.) will return-plus long, thin routes (LHR, PDX, PHX) too!!


 * The most recent stat I have heard is 10%. I totally agree with those routes and I have been heavily criticized for suggesting them on A-net, but I really do not think its that much of a stretch. The landing fees and lease payments from Amazon are going to give CVG airport a lot of money, which could be used to upgrade DL's facilities, lower costs for them, and provide subsidiaries for routes. If CVG airport gave Delta a subsidiary, businesses made seat guarantees, and CVG helped negotiate a cargo deal, I see no reason CVG-LHR would not be possible, even if only summer seasonal. As for GRR/RIC/PIT/ect., the elimination of CRJ-200's is a problem, but there is no reason routes like BWI/CLT.BNA/STL/MEM/MKE/PHL cannot go to CRJ-700's. Stinger20 (talk) 12:22, 2 February 2017 (UTC)