NW vuole incrementare la presenza in Europa (in inglese)

[skyrobbie]

June 25, 2005

BY JEWEL GOPWANI
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER



Northwest Airlines Inc. wants the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve an alliance among the Eagan, Minn.-based carrier, Air France and three other European airlines for international flights.


If approved, Northwest could coordinate schedules and fares with Alitalia, Czech Airlines and Air France, owner of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Using those airlines' hubs, Northwest says it would be easier for travelers to reach European destinations from its three domestic hubs, of which Detroit is the largest.


"Instead of having one pathway and one option you've got three or four or how ever many it produces," said Megan Rosia, Northwest's managing director of government affairs and associate general counsel.


Detroit, Rosia said, would see more direct flights to Paris, adding to its once-daily flight there. Northwest could also start nonstop flights to Milan and Rome. It currently serves Rome with seasonal service. Additionally, the alliance would lower fares to Europe because it would add flights to European destinations, Northwest said.


"Leisure passengers who are looking for the low fares are going to have a greater flexibility. . .because of so many different options," she said Friday.


Northwest filed an application for its plan in September. Approving the plan would exempt Northwest from federal regulations that outlaw monopolies.


Rosia said Northwest hopes for an answer by fall.


That application is under review, said Bill Mosley, public affairs specialist with the Department of Transportation. It'll examine if such an alliance hinders competition.


That's exactly what the plan does, said Kathryn Sudeikis, president of the American Society of Travel Agents.


"Allowing them to talk about airfares together can only mean one thing," Sudeikis said. "Less competition always means higher prices."


American Airlines has asked the Transportation Department to reject Northwest's proposal, saying it is "nothing more than an anticompetitive power grab and should be denied."


American has similar agreements with Swiss International Air Lines and Finnair, but they're both smaller than Air France.


Northwest's plan should also boost revenue for its European flights, said Terry Trippler, airline expert with Cheapseats.com.


Northwest's Atlantic flights accounted for about 11% of its passenger revenue last year.


The airline said it is essential to compete with American and United Airlines.


"For Northwest's ability to really be competitive over the north Atlantic, we have to be in an alliance, otherwise we're basically not in that market, which is a huge market," Rosia said.


Wayne County Airport Authority, which runs Metro Airport, supports the proposal. The authority agreed Thursday to pay $15,000 for a private report advocating Northwest's plan.


"It will ensure that this economic engine here at this airport continues to grow and creates jobs and tax base," said airport spokesman Michael Conway.

[RON2805]

La parte più interessante dell'articolo è questa....

In Origine postato da skyrobbie
Northwest could also start nonstop flights to Milan and Rome. It currently serves Rome with seasonal service. Additionally, the alliance would lower fares to Europe because it would add flights to European destinations, Northwest said.

Speriamo davvero in un ritorno di NW a MXP!!!

[Boeing747]

In Origine postato da RON2805
Speriamo davvero in un ritorno di NW a MXP!!!

Visto che MXP è il terzo hub Skyteam in Europa sarebbero un po' stupidi a non darsi una mossa.

Marco

[dgualdo]

Boh, in effetti ci sono delle voci per un ritorno della NW a MXP con A330 a partire dall'estivo 2006, ma é ancora tutto in forse con 20 punti di domanda ...
Sitamo a vedere, purtroppo non possiamo fare molto di più !
Ciao

[Alitalia Fan]

In Origine postato da Boeing747
Visto che MXP è il terzo hub Skyteam in Europa sarebbero un po' stupidi a non darsi una mossa.

Marco

Gli altri due quali sono?

[sarrebal]

In Origine postato da Alitalia Fan
Gli altri due quali sono?

CDG e AMS, suppongo.

[Alitalia Fan]

Ah si è vero, AMS credo che sia il primo vista l'enorme presenza di NW.



Chiamatelo campanilismo puro (lo è!!!!), però anche FCO mi pare un hub Skyteam

[landingFCO]

FCO è un hub Skyteam , non perchè lo dica io , ma perchè lo dice qualsiasi comunicato stampa delle compagnie associate all'alleanza nonchè lo stesso sito dell'alleanza SkyT.

Indubbio che AZ abbia una posizione di maggior peso (almeno sul lungo raggio) da MXP rispetto a FCO. E' anche vero che probabilmente come presenza di vettori e n° voli (quindi come capacità totale) dell'allenza , credo sia forse maggiore a FCO rispetto che a MXP

Cmq 3° o 4° , poco cambia ; entrambi vengono riconosciuti come tali.
Scali in cui sono possibili le coincidenze con voli dell'alleanza.



Ciao

[Boeing747]

In Origine postato da landingFCO
probabilmente come presenza di vettori e n° voli (quindi come capacità totale) dell'allenza , credo sia forse maggiore a FCO rispetto che a MXP

A naso stimavo il contrario, e quindi ho messo MXP al terzo posto. Ma giustamente 3° o 4° poco cambia: MXP è un hub strategico per Skyteam, dove NW farebbe bene a sbarcare quanto prima.

Marco

[marcogiov]

Avevi raggione a scrivere a quer modo, pecché aRRoma NW ce vola ggià.