How well do these smaller operations do operating on primarily tourist routes from smaller airports? It's a business model I've never understood as so many of them go belly up in a short amount of time. I'm glad to see that Elite is doing well in Portland, but I think the market is different with PVD and Logan offering competitive fares nearby.
Portsmouth, NH has done well with Allegiant Air serving FLL, St. Pete, Punta Gorda, and as of last week, St. Petersburg. But PSM is well positioned to capture the the northern Boston suburbs, Southern Maine, and the Seacoast of NH. NB isn't positioned nearly as well. I'm hopeful, but not confident it could sustain primarily leisure travelers to Florida, even on a CRJ.
To KMP's point, New Bedford has been actively pursuing a New York connection for as long as I can remember. I think New Bedford's best bet is a regional shuttle to New York, Philadelphia or even DC. American Eagle to DCA or PHL, United Express to EWR, or Delta Connection to LGA. There should be enough demand for seats to fill a small regional jet.
I think New Bedford's problem will continue to be a price vs. convenience issue. It's not that there isn't demand there, but flights on regionals are often far more expensive than direct hops from airports like Boston or Providence. If the fare from NB to New York (or beyond) isn't competitive with the fare from Boston/Providence, it won't work. And my guess is that it will be hard for the fares to be competitive when Providence and Boston can utilize larger aircraft (which are frequently close to full) on the same routes. Furthermore, for passengers continuing on beyond LGA, PHL, or DCA, Boston (and to some degree, Providence) will offer more direct flights. Most people will drive an hour or an hour and a half if it means less on airfare and a direct flight.
Portsmouth, NH has done well with Allegiant Air serving FLL, St. Pete, Punta Gorda, and as of last week, St. Petersburg. But PSM is well positioned to capture the the northern Boston suburbs, Southern Maine, and the Seacoast of NH. NB isn't positioned nearly as well. I'm hopeful, but not confident it could sustain primarily leisure travelers to Florida, even on a CRJ.
To KMP's point, New Bedford has been actively pursuing a New York connection for as long as I can remember. I think New Bedford's best bet is a regional shuttle to New York, Philadelphia or even DC. American Eagle to DCA or PHL, United Express to EWR, or Delta Connection to LGA. There should be enough demand for seats to fill a small regional jet.
I think New Bedford's problem will continue to be a price vs. convenience issue. It's not that there isn't demand there, but flights on regionals are often far more expensive than direct hops from airports like Boston or Providence. If the fare from NB to New York (or beyond) isn't competitive with the fare from Boston/Providence, it won't work. And my guess is that it will be hard for the fares to be competitive when Providence and Boston can utilize larger aircraft (which are frequently close to full) on the same routes. Furthermore, for passengers continuing on beyond LGA, PHL, or DCA, Boston (and to some degree, Providence) will offer more direct flights. Most people will drive an hour or an hour and a half if it means less on airfare and a direct flight.
