Comments on: Is Air Azul, er, JetAmerica the Return of Skybus? http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:41:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tony http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-76618 Tony Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:47:55 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-76618 I’m trying to understand this Air America situation, but I’m not nearly as in tune as you all are. I’m hoping that you can help with any of these questions below based on these quotes. I have a few questions at the end. I hope you can answer any of them. On July 2, JetAmerica's Vice President of Operations Brian Burling said: "In February 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us, through an intermediary, that our operations at Newark could be accommodated." The FAA's change in the slot policy for indirect air carriers is beyond our control. We are working hard to obtain all the slots we need as soon as possible. Jet America Chief Executive Officer John Weikle said that they just found out about this on May 30. And they were trying to get slots for July and August. The airline reported that it would have had to pay $450,000 for the slots at Newark. How could they expect to get this money, considering that it was such a small operation? In speaking only about Newark: 1. Did the FAA change in the slot policy for indirect air carriers, like Jet America says? Opinions? 2. Or did they single Jet America out? 3. If they singled Jet America out, is it because they sold so many tickets so quickly? 4. Was it realistic that Jet America would obtain slots for its daily flights by August 14? 5. Looking at the quote from Burling, who could the “intermediary” be? Wouldn’t the FAA communicate directly with an airline? 6. Could they get the slots without having to pay $450,000? I really hope you guys can help me understand any of this. I’m trying to understand this Air America situation, but I’m not nearly as in tune as you all are. I’m hoping that you can help with any of these questions below based on these quotes. I have a few questions at the end. I hope you can answer any of them.

On July 2, JetAmerica’s Vice President of Operations Brian Burling said: “In February 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us, through an intermediary, that our operations at Newark could be accommodated.”

The FAA’s change in the slot policy for indirect air carriers is beyond our control. We are working hard to obtain all the slots we need as soon as possible.

Jet America Chief Executive Officer John Weikle said that they just found out about this on May 30. And they were trying to get slots for July and August.

The airline reported that it would have had to pay $450,000 for the slots at Newark. How could they expect to get this money, considering that it was such a small operation?

In speaking only about Newark:
1. Did the FAA change in the slot policy for indirect air carriers, like Jet America says? Opinions?
2. Or did they single Jet America out?
3. If they singled Jet America out, is it because they sold so many tickets so quickly?
4. Was it realistic that Jet America would obtain slots for its daily flights by August 14?
5. Looking at the quote from Burling, who could the “intermediary” be? Wouldn’t the FAA communicate directly with an airline?
6. Could they get the slots without having to pay $450,000?

I really hope you guys can help me understand any of this.

]]> By: Jet America Offering $9 Flights | MadClouds http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-74206 Jet America Offering $9 Flights | MadClouds Wed, 27 May 2009 20:42:39 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-74206 [...] The “Cranky Flier” blog has another interesting article about the new airline titled:  Is Air Azul, er, Jet America the Return of SkyBus? Jaunted has also been covering this [...] [...] The “Cranky Flier” blog has another interesting article about the new airline titled:  Is Air Azul, er, Jet America the Return of SkyBus? Jaunted has also been covering this [...]

]]> By: CF http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73519 CF Tue, 12 May 2009 22:51:01 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73519 joe - Sharon McDermott works for the airline, as far as I can tell. So the deal with the puddle jumpers is an interesting one. Air Azul quit operating under that name entirely, but the regional operation was really run by Locair under the name Air Azul. (I believe Air Azul publicly chartered the aircraft from Locair.) Now that operation is continuing under the name Locair. (www.locair.net) joe – Sharon McDermott works for the airline, as far as I can tell.

So the deal with the puddle jumpers is an interesting one. Air Azul quit operating under that name entirely, but the regional operation was really run by Locair under the name Air Azul. (I believe Air Azul publicly chartered the aircraft from Locair.) Now that operation is continuing under the name Locair. (www.locair.net)

]]> By: joe http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73516 joe Tue, 12 May 2009 22:30:31 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73516 My favourite comment on the businessrockford.com page that you linked to was the bozo who commented that the spanish word sounds too middle eastern. Anyway, another thing that jumps out to me is that both the 167-seat 737-800's that Air Azul intended to lease from Sun Country and the 189-seat 737-800's that JetAmerica intends to lease from Miami Air International are the same size, but Sharon McDermott, director of airline services (is that a spokesdriod from the airport or the airline?) tries to pass it off as a bigger airplane instead of cramming 22 more seats into the same space (it's not crap is post-processed food). I wonder if Michael O'Leary is involved in this somehow? How is the original CEO going to stay with the Air Azul brand, when that brand is attached to an airline whose sole operations, 4 weekly flights connecting the middle of nowhere, KY with Nashville with a single engine airplane, ceased operations May 1st, and has a website that now consists of a empty directory? I can't find any relevant information on Sun America, the outfit who is running JetAmerica, formerly known as Air Azul, and is leasing aircraft from Miami Air International. When I google their name, all that comes up is <a href="http://www.silverrayn.com/flysunamerica/" rel="nofollow">this site</a> which appears to not be ready for public consumption. My favourite comment on the businessrockford.com page that you linked to was the bozo who commented that the spanish word sounds too middle eastern.

Anyway, another thing that jumps out to me is that both the 167-seat 737-800’s that Air Azul intended to lease from Sun Country and the 189-seat 737-800’s that JetAmerica intends to lease from Miami Air International are the same size, but Sharon McDermott, director of airline services (is that a spokesdriod from the airport or the airline?) tries to pass it off as a bigger airplane instead of cramming 22 more seats into the same space (it’s not crap is post-processed food). I wonder if Michael O’Leary is involved in this somehow?

How is the original CEO going to stay with the Air Azul brand, when that brand is attached to an airline whose sole operations, 4 weekly flights connecting the middle of nowhere, KY with Nashville with a single engine airplane, ceased operations May 1st, and has a website that now consists of a empty directory?

I can’t find any relevant information on Sun America, the outfit who is running JetAmerica, formerly known as Air Azul, and is leasing aircraft from Miami Air International. When I google their name, all that comes up is this site which appears to not be ready for public consumption.

]]> By: CF http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73398 CF Fri, 08 May 2009 18:53:32 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73398 A fantastic point indeed. Maybe this one would be more appropriate: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankyflier/3513717840/ A fantastic point indeed. Maybe this one would be more appropriate:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankyflier/3513717840/

]]> By: Nimitz http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73397 Nimitz Fri, 08 May 2009 18:47:31 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73397 that's a great point. there's something to be said for failing grandly in a grand pursuit. to be a fan or follower of this industry is to be an aficionado of failure, as fail they all eventually must. but we have, or should have anyway, a special place in our hearts for those who slip beneath the waves the last time standing erect on the bow, middle finger proudly aloft, and a maniacal smile suggesting that a spell away from this mad industry might be for the best. sadly, the foul puffs emanating from Azul/America suggest it will be neither here not there, neither fish nor fowl, and being nothing, will be nothing to worry us for very long. that’s a great point. there’s something to be said for failing grandly in a grand pursuit. to be a fan or follower of this industry is to be an aficionado of failure, as fail they all eventually must. but we have, or should have anyway, a special place in our hearts for those who slip beneath the waves the last time standing erect on the bow, middle finger proudly aloft, and a maniacal smile suggesting that a spell away from this mad industry might be for the best. sadly, the foul puffs emanating from Azul/America suggest it will be neither here not there, neither fish nor fowl, and being nothing, will be nothing to worry us for very long.

]]> By: enplaned http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73395 enplaned Fri, 08 May 2009 18:27:52 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73395 The Hindenburg image is funny, but suggests an ultimate grandeur in the prospective collapse of JetAmerica that may not be warranted. "Not with a bang but a whimper" The Hindenburg image is funny, but suggests an ultimate grandeur in the prospective collapse of JetAmerica that may not be warranted.

“Not with a bang but a whimper”

]]> By: Chuck http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73391 Chuck Fri, 08 May 2009 16:05:42 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73391 SkyRickShaw would be especially appropriate if the founder was named Rick. Pan I Am is great also...or you could name it Boston-Maine Airways and fly to neither state, to copy another failed airline experiment. Or just BM for short. SkyRickShaw would be especially appropriate if the founder was named Rick. Pan I Am is great also…or you could name it Boston-Maine Airways and fly to neither state, to copy another failed airline experiment. Or just BM for short.

]]> By: David SFeastbay http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73390 David SFeastbay Fri, 08 May 2009 15:40:59 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73390 Skybussy....that's a good one. I also like Pan I AM and SkyRickshaw. But I remember the original Jet America (I just had to go look) and I even have one of their old timetables from June 1987. They managed to cover coast to coast service flying to only 11 cities. LGB, SNA, LAS, PDX, SEA, MSP, ORD, DFW, STL, DTW, DCA. I'm surprised Alaska didn't hold on to the rights to the name so no one else could use it. At least someone starting up a service using the name Jet America and having a small route base will not be as bad as taking a great world wide known name like Pan Am and doing what those guys did. That was a dishonor to the Pan Am name if you ask me. Skybussy….that’s a good one. I also like Pan I AM and SkyRickshaw.

But I remember the original Jet America (I just had to go look) and I even have one of their old timetables from June 1987. They managed to cover coast to coast service flying to only 11 cities. LGB, SNA, LAS, PDX, SEA, MSP, ORD, DFW, STL, DTW, DCA. I’m surprised Alaska didn’t hold on to the rights to the name so no one else could use it.

At least someone starting up a service using the name Jet America and having a small route base will not be as bad as taking a great world wide known name like Pan Am and doing what those guys did. That was a dishonor to the Pan Am name if you ask me.

]]> By: CF http://crankyflier.com/2009/05/08/is-air-azul-er-jetamerica-the-return-of-skybus/comment-page-1/#comment-73389 CF Fri, 08 May 2009 15:33:15 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/?p=2667#comment-73389 I like Pan I Am - put some green eggs and ham on the tail and you're good to go! I like Pan I Am – put some green eggs and ham on the tail and you’re good to go!

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