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I'd like to add that I do not guarantee service between DAB-NYC would be successful....however it SHOULD because of the demand between the two markets. The problem is marketing the route to people in the area who are oblivious to the proposed new service.
My belief is that JetBlue would fill a few E-190's between DAB and JFK every day.....but would ticket prices sustain profitability? That's been DAB's problem in the past, loads have always been good....yields haven't. When US Air halted service a number of years back, they attributed the problem to yields. They determined, based on what the market would allow in ticket prices, that the load factor would need to be 103% on the 737's they were operating to break even. You can see why they pulled out....but you can also see how a LCC carrier that does not have the legacy costs of a mid 90's legacy carrier can succeed there. It will definitely be interesting to see how airTran performs in Daytona....
-Rich
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As far as AirTran is concerned, what I hear is...so far so good.
Yes, no new service is guaranteed successful, however there is a good chance as you said. Normally what DAB does is waive a lot of costs and offers a marketing program. I have driven in Daytona Beach and saw marketing billboards for AirTran's new service.
AirTran's pricing has remained moderate yet competitive with Delta. When AirTran launched a fare sale, Delta did not match right away for DAB flights. JetBlue has its get it together fares where the one way ticket price is cheaper if you book with atleast two people rather than with only one person.
Although after the chaos over Valentine's Day, jetBlue may not be AS popular as it once was, their inflight ammenities are very popular and liked, so having jetBlue in Daytona Beach would be attractive to passengers. My guess is that the standard fare for DAB/JFK service on jetBlue would run between $99-$109 one way (which is still pretty cheap even with taxes for a nonstop flight). Travelers in the area would definitely be attracted to that fare from DAB. I have a copy of a proposal for jetBlue that DAB prepared, if anyone wants to see it, please let me know and I will share it with you. I assume it is not confidential since the people at the airport sent it to me.
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Well now I think that JetBlue is gonna hold off on any new destination for a while.
