Aviation Summit
A few excerpts from Mike Boyd’s presentation
Airlines
There are not many left. Delta for instance is operated by at least four different certificated airlines.
It is possible to fly from North Carolina to California on a United ticket without every flying on a actual United plane with a United crew.
Airlines are not growing with more airplanes or seats.
Air travel will become more expensive.
Importance of Midland Air Service
Whether Mr. Chiang can get here from Kaohsiung to do a site visit.
That means the scope of national and international access is the real measure of air service.
It’s not just about cheap fares to Disneyland but how to get people to Midland that can create jobs.
Where does Midland Stand
We generate nearly 940,000 passengers annually.
We have no one dominate airline.
Midland generates nearly $153 Million to the airlines.
Great international access.
Future plans are maintaining and expanding existing incumbents.
Only possible additional access would be to Phoenix via US Airways. Would be more likely if American and US Airways merge.
Denver has been very successful. #2 connecting market from Midland is Casper. Load factors indicate potential for larger aircraft and additional frequency.
Albuquerque and Austin do not have enough traffic to justify restoration.
Remaining markets are all very strong.
Phoenix via US Airways is a possibility along with Phoenix via Southwest.
First Class has arrived
First Class service has begun
United Airlines started first class service to Midland May 1st. This is the first time Midland has had regularly scheduled first class service since the new terminal opened it’s doors. See our previous post for more information about the service. Here are a few photos from that first flight.
Here is the plane exiting Runway 16R beneath a traditional water arch.
The new type of aircraft. A CRJ-700 sitting at Jetway #2
The interior of the CRJ-700. Notice the first class seats in the foreground. There are a total of six of them.
We look forward to the success of this flight. If the flight and service are popular hopefully we can get this aircraft and service on more flights.
First Class is coming to Midland May 1st
First Class
United Airlines will be upgrading one flight a day to and from Houston to the CRJ-700 aircraft. With that change in aircraft type that will enable United to offer 6 first class seats on that route. This marks the first time in the new terminal’s life that Midland will have regularly scheduled first class service. By booking a first class seat you will enjoy priority boarding, no bag fees, and a one on one level of service from the flight crew.
The first flight will be flown on May 1st from Houston to Midland. It will depart Houston at 5:40PM and arrive in Midland at 7:06PM and spend the night here on the ramp. The return flight departs Midland on the 2nd at 5:04AM and arrives in Houston at 6:28AM.
We are very excited for this increase in seats and service here at MAF.
More information on the CRJ-700
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/aircraft/crj/700/default.aspx
More information on the United First Class Service
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/first.aspx