ERJ135

I haven't been to work to get the jetwire. Just got company e-mail about it. However, I got this from the eagle koolaid board. Leave it to AMR to get rid of the t props..... hahe


EAGLE MANAGERS BRIEFING
05.27.2008 For American Eagle and Executive Airlines Managers Level 3+


Subject: SJU Capacity Reductions and Fleet Changes

Summary: As part of the overall 2008 capacity reductions announced last week, American plans to reduce its operation in San Juan (SJU). American’s smaller SJU schedule will require less Eagle feed and as a result, AA has asked that we reduced our schedule, as well.

Key Points:
While AA and Eagle still have much work to do to finalize all of the changes to the network and schedule to reach the announced 10-12% capacity reductions for the fourth quarter of this year, some initial decisions have been made.

Operational Impact

§ American plans to reduce its operation in SJU effective with the September 3, 2008 schedule change.

§ As a result, AA will not require as much regional feed from American Eagle, and we will reduce flying by Executive Airlines to 33 round trips (from a planned winter schedule of 55), also effective September 3.

§ Surplus ATR-72 aircraft will be shifted from SJU to DFW, to replace the existing SAAB 340 aircraft.

– The ATR is a larger and more fuel efficient turbo-prop than the SAAB. With today’s record fuel prices, this is an increasingly important factor in the decision.

– This replacement will be phased in over a period of weeks, with ATRs replacing SAABs “one for one” at DFW. Because the ATR offers more seats per flight, we will be able to operate more efficiently, allowing us to reduce frequency from DFW to certain markets.

§ In an effort to significantly reduce costs, we will retire the SAAB fleet, reallocating regional jets from around the system to replace West Coast SAAB aircraft.

– The SAAB is a smaller aircraft – in today’s environment of high fuel costs and a shift toward larger regional jets and large turbo-props, this makes it a less efficient aircraft to operate and less desirable from a customer experience perspective.

– Reducing one of the smallest fleet types will save money by eliminating the fixed cost of aircraft ownership, simplifying our maintenance program and parts inventories and improving efficiency.

– The final impact of this fleet change on the West Coast schedule is still in development and we will share information as soon as decisions are made.

§ We have not yet finalized the impact these changes will have on staffing levels, but will be working with our union leadership to mitigate the impact on our people. We will communicate this information to employees as soon as it is available.

rickair7777

From what I see of Saabs in the west, they are used to provide high frequency service.

Looks like fuel cost is more of an issue than frequency these days, and you can bet it's cheaper to fly one daily ATR (or even an RJ) instead of 2-3 saabs. The pax lose frequency, but it seems they can no longer afford that luxury.

texaspilot76

Reducing frequency is going to hurt commuters. Less seats due to fuller flights, and less flights to get you to work. This stinks.

saabguy493

The Saab is less efficient than a CL65??? I am pretty sure passenger mile for mile cost, I think the Saab is still more efficient.

IQuitEagle

Crappy news. Good luck to all Eagle folks. May the net impact be less than it looks like.

saab2000

Depends on frequency. Frequency is ultimately very inefficient. Fewer, larger airplanes is more fuel efficient. Ultimately, some of this fleet reduction nationwide may result in less congestion, especially on the east coast.

exwaterski

Wow didn't see that coming. I wonder if this is the start of a trend where the smaller turboprops are going to be eliminated.

weirdbiz

I think skywest is gonna try to buy eagle, this move makes sense in that respect.

saab2000

Smaller airplanes are usually less efficient per seat than larger ones. The nation's Beech 1900 fleet has gotten dramatically smaller in the past few years.

Skyway
Big Sky
Air Midwest

All gone.

There will simply be less frequency on many routes.

HercDriver130

its sorta a trickle UP cycle....... I and some other on this board can remember when the companies or their predessors flew mainly 19 seat or ( smaller ) aircraft with some 30 seaters and 34 seaters thrown in.. Hell the ATR was the BIG mamma in those days. Those jetstreams and 1900's ( yes some still left ) are all but gone today... and the saab is just the next one on the block or so it would seem. Airlines have been getting bigger and bigger aircraft forever...... at ALL levels.........

The SAAB has been a great regional aircraft it will be sad to see it slip away over the next few years.