AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[nixcity]

^Because since 2011 we can be sure that the numbers to Tokyo have increased and all those trying to get to Seoul can easily be served be either of Tokyo's main airports. I'm really crossing my fingers for this one, it could save me so much time and money in the future.

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by nixcity

^Because since 2011 we can be sure that the numbers to Tokyo have increased

How can we be _sure_ the numbers to Tokyo have increased since 2011 when there isn't any newer data to support or refute that claim?

To qualify for the incentives, an airline would have to operate the route at least 8 times per month, so I think if Austin-Tokyo ever did happen it would start out as service twice per week.

[nixcity]

^Because now I have added to those numbers....lol. I have been getting closer to the Japanese community here and have seen an increase not only in business travelers but also UT and permanent residents. It is just my observations so it could be wrong but since I am vested personally in this I vote for Tokyo over Seoul!!! Then all us urban enthusiasts could visit the mecca.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Why not fly to both?
M-W-F to Tokyo
T-Th-S to Seoul
I'm sure there isn't enough passengers to serve both but it's an idea...

[Jdawgboy]

Speaking on nixcity's behalf, the Japanese population is growing quite quickly.

As far as the ultimate outcome, it will be exciting either way. Just my personal preference (and I am not the only one ) Tokyo would be my top choice if I was the one creating the direct route, I would definitely be one to use the route.

[Digatisdi]

I agree, I'd definitely prefer Tokyo over Seoul. I love both cities to death, but as it stands I'm fairly fluent in Japanese, and thus visit Japan more often, and when I do go to Korea I usually connect through Narita regardless.

Furthermore, if I'm not mistaken JAL already has a number of codeshares to Austin, and while I'd prefer that since I mostly travel with OneWorld I'd have no qualms over an ANA flight, which I think would be likely if Star Alliance airlines want to increase their presence at ABIA.

[DoubleC]

I think 20000 a year is the magic number (maybe 25000).

Just like BA makes it one stop from here to anywhere, I'm sure a Seoul route could give Austin a gateway to the rest of Asia. Adding up the number of travelers of the other most traveled Asian cities:

Seoul: 22000
Taipei: 9108
Tokyo: 8797
Shanghai: 8594 (154.3% increase since 2003)

That's roughly 40000 to Asia. Assuming Korean Air serves those routes (or codeshares with other airlines), that's the number you're looking at if you consider travelers connecting at Seoul to their final destination. Though not everybody is always going to fly direct to Seoul, however. They might still connect elsewhere if it is cheaper or convenient.

Similarly with BA, you're going to see more than 36000 flying Austin-London because London might just be a connecting airport.

[nixcity]

Out of all those cities has the most flights throughout Asia?

[Austin1971]

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[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

...Also I wouldn't be surprised if HA enters the market.

"HA?" Hawaiian Airlines (IATA: HA) servicing Austin? Isn't that a bit of a stretch? The only city they service east of Phoenix is NYC.

[sammyk]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

"HA?" Hawaiian Airlines (IATA: HA) servicing Austin? Isn't that a bit of a stretch? The only city they service east of Phoenix is NYC.

Unless he means Hainan Airlines, which sort of fits with the other Asian airlines being discussed.

[danny1010]

One Brit's review of the LHR-AUS flight...

It's mainly about the Dreamliner, but it's still positive Austin pub.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthews...787-to-austin/

[Austin1971]

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[Digatisdi]

HA does seem fairly logical if you consider HNL being a targeted market for ABIA with Hawai‘i and the high volume of traffic to Asia through the airport but part of me feels that ABIA wants to push for an international transpacific route before HNL

[Austin1971]

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[TexasRE]

Twice weekly flights to Tokyo makes sense, let that airport be the connecting 1 for the rest of asia. As numbers increase, the frequency can be added.

[Digatisdi]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

I guess I was misunderstood. A direct route to Asia will happen and is a top priority for the port. As far as a HA flight, that is purely for leisure traffic and a route that I believe we can support. Austin is currently pursuing both routes.

Well I mean yeah they're both feasible and my gut tells me we'll get both within the next few years but I'm just trying to avoid getting my hopes up too high because if there's one thing I'm good at it's that

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoes

Why not fly to both?
M-W-F to Tokyo
T-Th-S to Seoul
I'm sure there isn't enough passengers to serve both but it's an idea...

I vote for this idea!

A Seoul-Incheon route, I believe, would fair better than a route to Tokyo-Narita or Tokyo-Haneda. On reason may simply be that slightly more than 2.5 times the number of people flew between Austin and Seoul than did Austin and Tokyo in 2011. Also, the economy of South Korea is fairing far better than that of Japan's at this juncture.

ABIA, right now, is not a hub or transfer airport nor do I think it will be in the coming decades. Airlines are not adding/creating new hubs, they are getting rid of several and strengthening their largest, most profitable ones. Thus, any new, trans-oceanic routes out of ABIA will have to mostly be supported by "local" business and leisure travelers and not by a large number of transfer passengers (like a DFW or IAH).

Furthermore, landing fees at NRT are more than double that of ICN, SIN or PDG. That added cost will be routed down onto each passengers ticket price. Possibly leading to a more economical choice of connecting throughout Asia via ICN.

So an ICN route, to me, seems like the safest bet when considering Tokyo as well.

Sorry if this is a bit incoherent and a bit "all over the place"...I'm typing this on my phone actually at ABIA waiting for a flight.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

I don't think it is. They're looking to expand in North America and they want to enter new markets that currently don't have direct service. I would think they would give Austin a hard look. Time will tell but no one ever thought BA would start service to Austin either...

You are correct, very few of us saw the BA announcement coming so soon. However, roughly 100 people a day fly from Austin to London (the most popular international destination out of Austin -in 2011- according to Brookings).

RE: Hawaiian- I would assume that if they are looking to expand into new continental U.S. markets, they would look at places like Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, etc...before Austin would be considered.

Also, by adding another market and using HNL as a stop en route to Asia, they'll have to also consider increasing their frequency to specific Asian markets to accommodate the new travelers...in addition to adjusting the times of those flights to allow for easy transfers...assuming HA elects to keep the all of the ticket revenue in their pockets instead of a passenger transferring to another airline at HNL.

Using HNL vs. another continental U.S. hub as a transfer point to Asia (from ABIA) must be economically attractive to the passenger and a quicker route to Asia.

[Austin1971]

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