AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[drummer]

Originally Posted by _Matt

We had to know Paris would top the poll. People are likely voting based on holiday travel and familiarity of the destination, not considering the viability or business decision behind it.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the results. Since Austin already has a Europe connection, I don't think Paris would be next (at least I hope not). That doesn't mean it wouldn't ever happen, of course...just not next. I would think Asia would be next because of the tech industry. Of all the options, Seoul or Tokyo are probably best...though I still prefer a China connection (selfishly).

Digatisdi, aside from your admittedly selfish reasons, haha, is there any reason to bring a South American city on as a direct connection? I'm not sure of business connections to the region from Austin in particular.

[Digatisdi]

I know there's a few connections to Brazil (specifically São Paulo) with the Accenture branch here, but that's about all I know. Probably not enough to support a direct nonstop, although there's a relatively large Brazilian community here, but issues with Brazilian visa regulations would also hamper the route. It is such a hassle to get a tourist visa to Brazil.

[Speculator]

In theory, if Austin can support one world to London, then it can support star to Frankfurt. Not sure about skyteam to Paris or AMS because the dynamics with delta are different. The only way these types of flights will work (I'm not counting the mexico resort hops) is if they land in a major hub to distribute passengers across a continent like Europe. I don't see Sao Palo meeting this requirement. But what do I know?

[Austin1971]

F

[GoldenBoot]

Thanks Austin1971! You're the best.


At a constant 8% growth rate, AUS will reach 14.99 million passengers by the end of 2018.

[Digatisdi]

Originally Posted by Speculator

In theory, if Austin can support one world to London, then it can support star to Frankfurt. Not sure about skyteam to Paris or AMS because the dynamics with delta are different. The only way these types of flights will work (I'm not counting the mexico resort hops) is if they land in a major hub to distribute passengers across a continent like Europe. I don't see Sao Palo meeting this requirement. But what do I know?

São Paulo is a pretty big hub for LATAM airlines. I'm headed to Buenos Aires in March and at least 70% of the flights tried to route me though São Paulo–Guarulhos. It's a hub for TAM and Avianca Brasil. The scheduling was weird so I'm flying from YYZ to SCL with AC instead.

[cprice]

Originally Posted by AUS

British Airways began operations with the 789 again today. On March 27, we will be going back to the 772 until BA has enough 789's for the Austin route, because they need some for the IAH route.

Nope...here to stay. Daily service from now on

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by cprice

Nope...here to stay. Daily service from now on

Actually, that is incorrect. As of a 18 January 2016 release from BA, the B772ER WILL replace the B789 on this route from 27 March to 30 July.


British Airways Boeing 787-9 North America Operation Changes as of 18Jan16

[AUS]

Originally Posted by cprice

Nope...here to stay. Daily service from now on

Incorrect, it will go back to a 777-200 as stated in the article posted above on March 27.

[cprice]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Actually, that is incorrect. As of a 18 January 2016 release from BA, the B772ER WILL replace the B789 on this route from 27 March to 30 July.


British Airways Boeing 787-9 North America Operation Changes as of 18Jan16

Well shit, that sucks. Booked a trip 7/4-7/20 expecting to get to fly on the new plane. It even says 787-9 has service to Austin on their website. Pretty misleading. http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...ion/boeing-787

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by cprice

Well shit, that sucks. Booked a trip 7/4-7/20 expecting to get to fly on the new plane. It even says 787-9 has service to Austin on their website. Pretty misleading. http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...ion/boeing-787

BA does utilize their B789 on the LHR-AUS route. But, not between March 27 and July 30, 2016.

Regarding your booking, it actually reads "Aircraft Type: Boeing 777 Jet."

[ILUVSAT]

Condor just made its summer season Seattle flight (twice weekly) year-round (Condor's only other year-round US destination other than Las Vegas). Maybe if its FRA-AUS route is successful over the coming years, they would move it to year-round as well. Also, better yet, Lufthansa would take it over on a more frequent basis - year-round.

[sammyk]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Condor just made its summer season Seattle flight (twice weekly) year-round (Condor's only other year-round US destination other than Las Vegas). Maybe if its FRA-AUS route is successful over the coming years, they would move it to year-round as well. Also, better yet, Lufthansa would take it over on a more frequent basis - year-round.

Lufthansa and Condor are no longer affiliated. Lufthansa would not need to "take over".

[DoubleC]

Decided to spot for a little bit and boticss that the "smoke stacks" by the tower aren't there anymore. What's being constructed over there?

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by DoubleC

Decided to spot for a little bit and boticss that the "smoke stacks" by the tower aren't there anymore. What's being constructed over there?

New, larger, and relocated retention pond. It's construction is required for the forthcoming apron and terminal expansions.

[ILUVSAT]

All quiet on the "new routes" front, huh?

Hoping for something big, and exciting in the coming months!

[DoubleC]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

All quiet on the "new routes" front, huh?

Hoping for something big, and exciting in the coming months!

Haven't really seen a lot of adds by the legacy carriers (minus the return of the Philly route which was discontinued for several months). I feel like the low-cost carriers are making the most additions. Southwest made a good chunk of additions last year. I wonder if we'll ever get routes to destinations we already have (or don't have) on airlines already served here (i.e., Delta to Seattle or Boston, American to DCA, etc.).

I've looked at JetBlue's numbers, and they just continue to drop in passenger numbers. JBU1295 which used to send an a320 over my house around midnight has been reduced to an e190. It'd be a shame if it just got cut altogether. I don't think they're likely to expand anytime soon. Funny since the thought of Austin becoming a JetBlue focus city used to float around quite a bit. We still have more JB routes than most non-hub cities.

Any news on the ULC terminal? I thought they were going to finish up around Spring.

[Jdawgboy]

I would think it be difficult to add a whole lot more routes considering the main terminal is basically at capacity unless they start using that low cost "terminal". Not sure what the ratio of filled gates is to unfilled at any given time? If anyone has those stats, please post. I'd be interested to see.

[DoubleC]

I can tell when I go, Southwest is usually occupying 5 gates at least, with arrivals taking the place of the departing aircraft. Delta is a little tight; they had 3 Delta jets parked one time, 2 of which recently arrived at the gate, and a Delta Comnection jet had to wait about 20 minutes before they could unboard. I was wondering why they couldn't just unload them via air stair and then bus them in. I don't know how often planes have to wait each day.

[jbssfelix]

ABIA Up 12% Jan 16 over Jan 15. If that continues for the full year, we'll be on track for ~13.3 million this year.

http://austintexas.gov/news/january-...stin-bergstrom