It's not surprising to me at least, but AirTran is only getting about half the flight loads at HSV that it receives systemwide (A 44% Load Factor at HSV verses 85% Systemwide). If this continues, they will pull out. Theref ore the Airport Authorituy is asking the community for greater support otherwise, HSV will again have the highest fares in the country.
See Article
http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2010/09/huntsville_international_airpo.html
In Mobile, the locals said "Delta has the same fares so I will fly them." AirTran lost money, discontinued service and Delta then doubled and quadrupled their fares out of Mobile. Let's hope the same thing doesn't happen here but I have my doubts that North Alabama has enough consumer savy or price intelligent travelers for AirTran to make it. Too bad, because if they pull out, there not coming back.
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