RE: Toronto's analysts should read it....While they shrink, the big carriers also will have to turn over more
of their domestic flying to lower-cost regional partners and dump
the union contract restrictions that have prohibited such
efficiencies. US Airways is an example of how to go. Last year, the
company's 11 feeder airlines had 70 regional jets. Under a new
contract with its pilots, US Airways and its regional partners can
take that number to 465. The 50-seat planes, which are more
fuel-efficient and have smaller cabin crews, can make money with
roughly 40 passengers. A Boeing 737 needs 100 or more.