AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[hookem]

Originally Posted by Capt AWACS

And from what I read ABIA gave the land for this terminal away with an abatement land better used for cargo and GA. expansion.

From what I've read, although passenger traffic is up at ABIA, cargo traffic is way down... and GA makes no money. Perhaps that's why they chose to allow the land use for the new terminal.

[Major AWACS]

GA makes big bucks. As a licensed commercial corporate pilot and GA pilot I can tell you that first hand. Hanger rental on space like that especially since austin corporate closed, will make big money. See the problem is people are not taking the rosey Austin glasses off for a second. Personally I think it is great and folks will snap up the ten 10$ tickets everyday however as airline models go in North America this has yet to come close to turning a profit. I wish them luck but I am a realist. Others with plenty of airline experiance seem to agree. Don't confuse, as many on this board do, my critical eye on this plan, as some aspersion at austin. I wish the planwell. Good luck getting ICE folks to treat the pax with any level of respect BTW. The PIA flight at IAH was hurt by bad ICE perceptions (among other ythings)
Well I am typing on the blackberry and costing myself a fortune so I will continue this from a real computer later (with a real keyboard!!!.
Ciao,a
AWACS
A

[Major AWACS]

Originally Posted by Capt AWACS

It is a good concept in some markets, not North America. I can suggest some reading if you want to learn about the subject more.

If the airline makes markeeting work in Mexico they might survive, but not in the form you see stated in the OP.

And from what I read ABIA gave the land for this terminal away with an abatement land better used for cargo and GA. expansion.

Hey I hope it works good for them, but those of us with any knowledge of the airline business think it will be an uphill battle.
And not all the tickets will be $5. A few seats will be cheap then the fare buckets go up accordingly

Ciao,
AWACS

Not an "I told you so" by me, but just pointing out that some of us here do know a thing or two about aviation and airline ops and marketing. So when I said the things I said about this start-up over a year ago I was not being mean or a "hater" as some tried to say (if you read back on page 3-4) just being a realist in the aviation world.

I am not happy AUS lost an airline, and if ABIA markets itself right, maybe they can get some expanded service from MEX as the economy improves early next year.


Ciao,
AWACS

[Mikey711MN]

Originally Posted by Capt AWACS

ABIA sold it's soul for this LCC terminal. Time will tell...

Perhaps better posted in a.net (good to see some of you over here too!), but I gotta ask why you feel this way.

The ULCC terminal will reside on land leased by the city that will be primarily modular in construction with limited infrastructure improvements required. It does not interfere with the airport Master Plan (at least the preferred option whereby the south terminal can eventually be built) and the risk is entirely GE's as to whether airlines will use it.

To me, it's a no-brainer.

[DrewDizzle]

Wow, a lot of big ballers in here too good to walk on the tarmac or pick up their baggage.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by DrewDizzle

Wow, a lot of big ballers in here too good to walk on the tarmac or pick up their baggage.

No kidding. Guess what your grandparents had to do! If flying to Mexico for 10 bucks to see crystal blue waters, beautiful beaches, gorgeous towns and people and enjoying cheap prices in the tourist traps means carrying my own baggage to and from the plane, then I'm OK with that.

[ATXboom]

ABIA did not sell anything... GE is funding the build out. The city is simply doing a short term lease and will actually make money.

I travel to 10+ desitinations for per work trip in Europe... I love the economy hops... I fly all over Germany for cheap!

[JGFrisco]

It's very much the Skybus model - a few 10 dollar seats on every flight. With that, it's $118 round trip on the cheapest day (security/AP fees are fifty bucks each way).

Using Austin makes more sense than you think. Yes, it's not SA...but part of their idea is to pick a central location and try to attract people to drive. Few are going to drive from DFW to San Antonio for a flight, but a lot might go to Austin. The airport is less than 3.5 hours from about 16 million people, several million of which have relatives in Mexico.

[DrewDizzle]

The tax flying OUT of Cancun is ridiculous.

[Bestie1001]

Why do I sense that this is unfair to everybody? Austin, Dallas airports are seems like a mess.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by Bestie1001

Why do I sense that this is unfair to everybody? Austin, Dallas airports are seems like a mess.

What is unfair? Were already lucky to be getting so much service in close proximity to Dallas and Houston. I don't see how Austin and Dallas are a mess either...

[uhhh_idk]

ABIA posted their proposed Lounge plans for when the new terminal and A/D Hall comes online

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=440555

Commentary: https://viewfromthewing.com/exclusiv...new-operators/

AA will move their Admirals Club to the new West Wing expansion. The new terminal connector buildings will have two large lounges, one in terminal A and one in the new terminal B. Looks like Delta will take the new 30,000 sqft lounge in the Barbara Jordan terminal, which aligns with rumors I've heard. I assume United will either stay in their current location and (maybe?) expand into the old AA space, or they'll move to part of the new lounge location in terminal B. Lot's of space for Credit Card lounges - I've heard Chase and Amex names floated so will be interesting to see

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by uhhh_idk

ABIA posted their proposed Lounge plans for when the new terminal and A/D Hall comes online

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=440555

Commentary: https://viewfromthewing.com/exclusiv...new-operators/

AA will move their Admirals Club to the new West Wing expansion. The new terminal connector buildings will have two large lounges, one in terminal A and one in the new terminal B. Looks like Delta will take the new 30,000 sqft lounge in the Barbara Jordan terminal, which aligns with rumors I've heard. I assume United will either stay in their current location and (maybe?) expand into the old AA space, or they'll move to part of the new lounge location in terminal B. Lot's of space for Credit Card lounges - I've heard Chase and Amex names floated so will be interesting to see

Finally a new Admirals Club. They (AA) have been promising for years. !

[nixcity]

My wife and I have been all over Mexico but we've only been to Puebla from all of the cities on the list. If it only lasts 8-12 months that gives us plenty of time to visit each of these destinations.
Actually, I think we could make this work here. Nobody has mentioned UT as having an impact on the number of passengers. Now we just need a light rail line to connect it to downtown and on.

[Schertz1]

You are incorrect on this. This airline specializes in transporting migrants from Southern Mexico and Central/South America to the U.S. Border. It is much faster and cheaper than traveling through Mexico. This is a well-known fact and the butt of many jokes in Mexico. You should do a search on it if you do not believe it. They call it migrantair.

Mexico is a class conscience Nation, more so than the U.S. I do not see people with money traveling beside people they consider beneath them to save a few dollars.

The airline may benefit from U.S. citizens wanting an inexpensive vacation, but it probably will not mean an influx of Mexican tourist or shoppers.


I do not live in San Antonio I live in Houston. I went to high school and college there, but I live in Houston.

[texastarkus]

....You should do a search on it if you do not believe it. They call it migrantair....


Air Wisconsin is fondly called "DAIRY AIR"

[WallerCreekView]

Originally Posted by arbeiter

IF they called it "AeroMigra" I might believe you.

"Among travelers, it's jokingly known as Aeromigrante - Migrant Air."

http://www.banderasnews.com/0710/nr-migrantair.htm

[Shasta]

Leon/Guanajuato is a touristy place. That airport serves San Miguel, "Mexico's Santa Fe!"

Lots of Texans head to the mountains in that region to vacation. Great climate. Colonial architecture. Food. Shopping for tiles to import back to tile their bathrooms and kitchens on Lake Travis...

[JManc]

ryannair is terrible if you had to use it on a regular basis. using it once in a while for a long weekend is fine but couldn't imagine it for commuting purposes.

[LoneStarMike]

KXAN Channel 36, the local NBC affiliate here in Austin, ran a story on the 6 pm news this evening which claimed WN is having a dispute with local airport officials concerning lower terminal fees the airport plans to charge ultra-low-cost carriers (so far only Viva Aerobus) who elect to operate out of the low-cost terminal currently under construction on the other side of the airport from the main terminal where Southwest and all the other airlines are located. Here is the gist of the report that aired:

A letter was sent to airport officials from a vice-president of Southwest which says that a new low-cost terminal will provide other airlines with a "substantial cost advantage," while Southwest is bound by their lease agreement to use the more expensive facilities in the main terminal. The letter goes on to note that Southwest's lease agreement with AUS stipulates they (WN) should pay the same terminal fees as all other airlines. Obviously, WN's lease agreement was signed before the city decided to lease land to GE to build and operate the new low-cost terminal.

In the city's response to Southwest, the city's aviation director says that things are completely different for Southwest because they fly from a different terminal. The city also claims they can charge lower terminal fees for carriers using the low-cost terminal because the city will not be providing baggage claim services, jetways and other amenities that they currently provide airlines using the main terminal.

The Austin City Council is set to discuss the issue tomorrow in a closed session.

I was unable to find a link to the text version of this story on the station's website, but if you follow this link you should be able to watch the same video report I saw earlier.

http://www.kxan.com/Global/category.asp?C=4427

Look for "Tension between Southwest Airlines and ABIA" The story lasts about two and a half minutes.

If the city were talking about charging lower landing fees for new carriers, then I would be more sympathetic towards Southwest's point of view, but I personally don't have a problem with any of the ultra low-cost carrier being charged a lower gate/ticket counter/terminal fee for using an inferior terminal. I'm kind of disappointed with Southwest's position on this issue.