Airtran has decided to make Milwaukee an important crew base and is now using the term “hub” when talking about its Milwaukee operations.   You can read more details about this HERE.

Initially, 50 pilots (B737) and 50 cabin crew (737/717) will be based in Milwaukee but expect those numbers to grow over time.  Why?  Because not only is Milwaukee a good place to connect flights to other destinations, the market between Milwaukee and many cities is one of good yield.   There is a reason why airlines are starting to fight it out there. 

It also offers a relatively inexpensive place for crew to live in, an airport that endures weather very well and customer base that has long been neglected by most airlines.  There are a number of experienced flight crews in the MKE area that should be available for hire including pilots who know how to fly a 717.  

This latest development is just one more reason why I believe Airtran’s route between Milwaukee and DFW to be flown by SkyWest will quickly move over to a mainline aircraft such as the Boeing 717.   It’s also worth noting that air fares between MKE and DFW have already dropped with Airtran “buying” the business even before direct flights have been initiated.  With service not expected to start before April 2010,  it’s clear that Airtran intends to dominate that route and, unlike other airlines, Airtran isn’t afraid of going head to head with a major airline such as American Airlines.

According to the story . . .

In Milwaukee, AirTran now operates a line maintenance station, regional human resources, sales and community relations staff, and an airport station consisting of more than 200 customer service agents and other personnel. With the additional crew members added with the establishment of the new bases, the airline’s total Milwaukee payroll is estimated to be more than $11.5 million per year.

 

That’s a big commitment to the Milwaukee area and I do wonder how Republic will or will not respond with Midwest Airlines in that city.   Midwest is hardly even a brand anymore since it flies none of its own aircraft.  Republic Airways owned Frontier Airlines is flying 5 Airbus A319 aircraft (configured with Frontier seating) and Republic is directly supply another 20 E-170/190 aircraft for other routes. 

Republic has moved about 200 maintenance and 100 customer service jobs from Frontier’s Denver but if Airtran continues to enlarge its operations and compete strongly with Republic in that city, one wonders how long it will last.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax