SteelPanz
8/31/2006, 02:00 PM
San Antonio is a 'hublet' no more
United Airlines is ending its experiment that would have turned San Antonio into a “hublet” (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2006-03-02-united-sanantonio_x.htm) -– or mini-hub. On Sept. 20, United will end its non-stop service from San Antonio to Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, New Orleans and Omaha, Neb. United already pulled the plug this summer on its non-stop service between San Antonio and Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Mo. Trans State Airlines -– a United Express affiliates that flew 50-seat regional jets on those seven routes -– “cited a lack of passengers, a pilot shortage and high fuel costs as reasons for ending the flights,” the Express-News (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA083106.03E.BIZunitedexpress.280f71b.html) of San Antonio writes.
United first added those seven non-stop routes in February and March, something that gave the airline non-stop service to 12 destinations from San Antonio –- including all five of its hubs (Chicago O’Hare, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles). “The convenience of non-stop doesn't always work," says Barbara Prossen, assistant to the San Antonio aviation director. The Express-News says Prossen cited “frequent-flier programs used by competitors such as Southwest and American” as a reason United's service might have underperformed. It's a likely indication that San Antonio travelers were not willing to abandon their chance to earn miles or elite status on these airlines.
United Airlines is ending its experiment that would have turned San Antonio into a “hublet” (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2006-03-02-united-sanantonio_x.htm) -– or mini-hub. On Sept. 20, United will end its non-stop service from San Antonio to Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, New Orleans and Omaha, Neb. United already pulled the plug this summer on its non-stop service between San Antonio and Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Mo. Trans State Airlines -– a United Express affiliates that flew 50-seat regional jets on those seven routes -– “cited a lack of passengers, a pilot shortage and high fuel costs as reasons for ending the flights,” the Express-News (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA083106.03E.BIZunitedexpress.280f71b.html) of San Antonio writes.
United first added those seven non-stop routes in February and March, something that gave the airline non-stop service to 12 destinations from San Antonio –- including all five of its hubs (Chicago O’Hare, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles). “The convenience of non-stop doesn't always work," says Barbara Prossen, assistant to the San Antonio aviation director. The Express-News says Prossen cited “frequent-flier programs used by competitors such as Southwest and American” as a reason United's service might have underperformed. It's a likely indication that San Antonio travelers were not willing to abandon their chance to earn miles or elite status on these airlines.