Although it was a difficult time for the aviation industry, we are seeing a surprising number of new airline startups. This spring, for example, we saw the launch of Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways. It looks like another airline may be just a few weeks away from starting operations, and that airline could even partner with American Airlines. I still find this new airline pretty weird, but let’s wrap up the latest on the concept as it seems the people behind it are pretty serious. The basics of Connect AirlinesConnect Airlines is a new North American airline that was officially announced in April 2021 and is scheduled to launch this fall:
Who is Connect Airlines?Connect Airlines is a new concept from Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA), a Boston-based FAA Part 135 jet charter operator, working towards acquiring an FAA Part 121 airline operator certification for scheduled flights. And yes, WMA is actually named after that Australian song … Waltzing Matilda Aviation’s CEO is John Thomas, who has been in the aviation industry for 35 years and was a former executive at Virgin Australia. As Thomas describes the plans for this airline:
This is a copy of Porter’s business modelSee, I have to say Connect Airlines has a really smart business model. I can’t believe that it has never occurred to anyone to use Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport as a hub for cross-border turboprop flights while offering a premium experience. ? Oh wait, that’s Porter Airlines’ business model. The airline operates from the same airport, with the same aircraft, to the same destinations and offers the same experience. Well, in fairness, Porter Airlines ceased operations in March 2020 due to travel restrictions and has still not resumed flights. That being said, the airline is undoubtedly making a return. In addition, Porter is pursuing a whole new additional business model in the coming years – the airline has ordered up to 80 Embraer E195-E2s, which will take off flights from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) and beyond. Connect Airlines plans to partner with American AirlinesHere’s a fascinating angle. Regulatory records indicate that Connect Airlines has already entered into an interline agreement with American Airlines, and the two airlines are also working on a pre-launch codeshare agreement. With that, we could possibly expect:
I’m not entirely sure I understand what American Airlines is winning here:
I’m confused, excited to see how that turns outI don’t even know what to think of Connect Airlines. I am just confused. I don’t think we’ve ever seen such a blatant copycat startup airline in the history of aviation. The airline is replicating what Porter did and I’m not sure what exactly? Porter was also heavily geared towards business travelers, and with business travel likely to have declined for a while, as well as challenges with international travel, this seems like an odd time to start such an airline. Additionally, Connect has one downside compared to Porter – the airline won’t have that many slots, won’t have domestic connectivity within Canada, and won’t have that high profile or that wide network. Bottom lineConnect Airlines is a new airline startup set to launch in October 2021 that operates flights between Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport and points in the United States using Q400 aircraft (the airline may also operate some domestic flights within the United States, after all). The best I can say, Connect Airlines is hoping to essentially replicate Porter Airlines’ business model and capture the “business day trip” market which is, to put it mildly, questionable. What’s also interesting is that Connect Airlines allegedly intends to partner with American Airlines – at least the two airlines will be linked and are working towards a codeshare agreement. What do you think of Connect Airlines?
Via https://globalconnekt.com/connect-airlines-north-americas-weird-new-airline/
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