Let’s circle back around to the US Airways/Delta proposed slot swap. When we last left things, the U.S Department of Transportation gave a conditional yes, with the condition being that US Airways and Delta would have to sell 20 slots at LaGuardia and 14 at Reagan National to low-cost carriers (Southwest, jetBlue, AirTran, or Spirit). Delta and US Airways gave off a big moan, and the issue is now in a 30-day public comment period.
Does the requirement that US Airways and Delta sell off some slots kill the deal? Maybe. But the fundamentals here are pretty obvious: US Airways’ LaGuardia operation, particularly the regional operation using turboprops and regional jets, is a money suck. The airline estimates the deal, as originally proposed, will enhance its profitability by $75 million a year.
Thus, US Airways just might accept the DOT’s sale requirement. Even if they don’t, some other sort of deal is likely, and probably sooner, not later. Either way, it would create some moving pieces, some of which will end up in Charlotte.
Which brings us to this, from the February minutes of CLT’s Airport Advisory Committee, about expanding E Concourse, which is used by regional jets and turboprops:
The [US Airways] hub operation includes 8 to 9 “banks” of aircraft that arrive and depart the Airport each day. US Airways has informed the Airport it will add 6 additional aircraft to each bank using Concourse ‘E’ starting in March. In order to accommodate the additional aircraft, the Airport must immediately add another 120-foot section to concourse to provide hold room space for the additional passenger load.
Obviously, that was based upon DOT approval of the slot swap deal without conditions. But still, there’s some significant changes coming.
Bonus wow: The addition that was just approved is the next to last portion of the concourse to be built. The end of E Concourse is now planned for mainline aircraft, and will feature immigrations and customs in the basement. Hadn’t heard that before.
