EWR-SDQ Daily
DTW-CUN Now Daily stays permanently
DTW-MBJ 3x weekly seasonal


http://ir.spirit.com/news-releases/news-release-details/growing-and-growing-more-caribbean-routes-added-spirits-growing

I see EWR becoming a decent sized operation for NK, doing what LGA can't. Meanwhile, this new DTW-MBJ add is going to be keystone to Detroit's success as a strong focus city.

flymco753 wrote:

I see EWR becoming a decent sized operation for NK, doing what LGA can't.

I agree, wondering if CUN-EWR is next...

flymco753 wrote:

I see EWR becoming a decent sized operation for NK, doing what LGA can't.

NK is growing it seems - verified, and I didn't even know until today that it's servicing EWR-IAH. Meanwhile F9's decision to pass on being at EWR is becoming a bigger missed opportunity, if there is space for NK to grow. There are smaller markets that F9 went in and it made sense, like BUF (while NK keeps a limited presence at IAG). OTOH, It passed on BWI, but it's a bloodbath on some routes and F9 has a DCA/IAD niche. But EWR is a huge airport, larger market with some high fares as well, and F9 just is not there.

I don’t see how much they can grow given the gate constraints. And on top of that, the aggressive fare matching by ua really makes their ewr station not that profitable.

santi319 wrote:

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tphuang wrote:

I don’t see how much they can grow given the gate constraints. And on top of that, the aggressive fare matching by ua really makes their ewr station not that profitable.

UA, B6 or WN can agressively match the fares etc, and in the short term it works, but in the long run as a lot of these new routes/old routes returning recently, people learn that once NK leaves prices go up. And lets be honest UA or B6 are not able to compete with NK.... they can do temporarily but in the long run its not going to happen.

That’s not even remotely true. They clearly had a large network adjustment recently, because their profits have been declining. As long as other airlines are getting their planes filled, they will gladly match fares with nk for that one flight while keep pricing high elsewhere.

And in the case of ewr, all the routes they are in have plenty of competition. Fares to fll, mco, las and msy in New York area aren’t going up anytime soon.

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tphuang wrote:

I don’t see how much they can grow given the gate constraints. And on top of that, the aggressive fare matching by ua really makes their ewr station not that profitable.

UA, B6 or WN can agressively match the fares etc, and in the short term it works, but in the long run as a lot of these new routes/old routes returning recently, people learn that once NK leaves prices go up. And lets be honest UA or B6 are not able to compete with NK.... they can do temporarily but in the long run its not going to happen.

santi319 wrote:

[*]

tphuang wrote:

I don’t see how much they can grow given the gate constraints. And on top of that, the aggressive fare matching by ua really makes their ewr station not that profitable.

UA, B6 or WN can agressively match the fares etc, and in the short term it works, but in the long run as a lot of these new routes/old routes returning recently, people learn that once NK leaves prices go up. And lets be honest UA or B6 are not able to compete with NK.... they can do temporarily but in the long run its not going to happen.

NK is going to have to grow a lot more in a lot of markets about which UA and B6 care for UA or B6 to have trouble matching fares if they want to.

I would see EWR-CUN being a good route.

Winter season to MBJ or SXM, 3x weekly, could also work. That said, NK is very deliberate in route expansion.

phluser wrote:

flymco753 wrote:

I see EWR becoming a decent sized operation for NK, doing what LGA can't.

NK is growing it seems - verified, and I didn't even know until today that it's servicing EWR-IAH. Meanwhile F9's decision to pass on being at EWR is becoming a bigger missed opportunity, if there is space for NK to grow. There are smaller markets that F9 went in and it made sense, like BUF (while NK keeps a limited presence at IAG). OTOH, It passed on BWI, but it's a bloodbath on some routes and F9 has a DCA/IAD niche. But EWR is a huge airport, larger market with some high fares as well, and F9 just is not there.

I’d agree that EWR seems to be one of the biggest missing opportunities in F9’s system. However, at the same time, F9’s strategy at airports surrounding EWR as well as in the NYC area may explain why they’ve ignored it up to this point. Their PHL focus city, TTN presence, (very small) LGA presence, and ongoing attempt to build up at ISP may all combine to make them feel that at this time, presence at EWR isn’t necessary for them (not that I really agree with that). If they did decide to enter EWR at some point, I’d assume DEN (year round service between DEN and NYC is, I believe, one of the biggest holes in F9’s network) and MCO would come first, with LAS, AUS, SAT, ORD, RDU, and SJU being other possibilities.

Can Spirit even fly over water routes or will they be limited like Southwest to flying near shore? Do they have rafts, HF radios or CPDLC? If not look for all the flights to have to go down the coast, across the Bahamas and then East to the Dom Rep.

NYCSKYGUY wrote:

Can Spirit even fly over water routes or will they be limited like Southwest to flying near shore? Do they have rafts, HF radios or CPDLC? If not look for all the flights to have to go down the coast, across the Bahamas and then East to the Dom Rep.

Yes, all aircraft are equipped with HF and rafts. NKS flies over water all day every day.

Oof, both those legs of EWR-SDQ are redeyes, at pretty tough hours

BWIAirport wrote:

Oof, both those legs of EWR-SDQ are redeyes, at pretty tough hours

These are VFR flights, many pax from LatAm and the Caribbean prefer flights at these hours, so they can work a full day before.

BWIAirport wrote:

Oof, both those legs of EWR-SDQ are redeyes, at pretty tough hours

Doubtful it will be an issue for this fare-sensitive market. Definitely not doing to see many traditional business folks or tourists on that flight...most likely it will be almost exclusively VFR traffic.

BWIAirport wrote:

Oof, both those legs of EWR-SDQ are redeyes, at pretty tough hours

They have to at least on the return because that's the only time there's FIS gate availability in Terminal B.

brains wrote:

NYCSKYGUY wrote:

Can Spirit even fly over water routes or will they be limited like Southwest to flying near shore? Do they have rafts, HF radios or CPDLC? If not look for all the flights to have to go down the coast, across the Bahamas and then East to the Dom Rep.

Yes, all aircraft are equipped with HF and rafts. NKS flies over water all day every day.

What routes do they currently fly that require HF?