Delta's Woeful Decision....

jalencastro · Jun 3, 2008

I guess the only reason I am somewhat relieved is that my trip this year happens to take place before the changes....although I do not trust DELTA and will continue to check on the flight status week by week....in any case I emailed DELTA about JFK-SDQ and here is what the wrote back to me:

Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines. Our records indicate that, we would be discontinuing services from John F. Kennedy, New York to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on September 09, 2008. Also, in today's competitive environment, economic factors have an impact on our decisions about which markets to serve, and with what level of frequency. The decision to withdraw our service from SantoDomingo, Dominican Republic was made only after extensive evaluation of customer demand and cost analysis. We continuously evaluate potential markets, including the possibility of reinstating previously served markets, as changes in passenger demand occur. We appreciate your interest in Delta Air Lines.
Sincerely, Online Customer Support Desk
http://www.delta.com :surprised :ermm:

toneloc24 · Jun 4, 2008

No worries. This was announced a while back.

Both markets will still be served by Delta out of Atlanta. So, it will just mean a connection in ATL from/to NYC. Which is actually not so bad, since there are hourly flights to Laguardia.

PICHARDO · Jun 4, 2008

In fact, this represents the actual opening some smaller air companies needed in order to enter the DR-US market...

Given that most travelers prefer to make non stop flights to their destinations towards the US (mostly due to the always late connections there), this will improve the rentability of smaller jets servicing this route.

JetBlue started on these same basic principles when it started to service the US-DR market sometime ago.

Unlike Delta and American, JetBlue restricted the luggage severely due the fact that they sell their cargo space to the commercial parcel services between both nations.

As it stands, JetBlue makes their flights rentable even when the seats are not sold to capacity for travel in the flights...

Air Dominicana will take the empty non-stop spots of American and Delta in the Dominican market to get a foot into the market as soon as possible. In other words, the flights had market established already; what makes them so expensive to run for the other liners is the lack of flexibility on cargo rates to the local DR's market unlike their rival JetBlue.

JetBlue is known to flight premium Dominican goods that are date sensitive to the US market on a daily basis. This goes from flowers grown in Constanza to cigars and organic products.

The DR's market is one of the few in the region still growing instead of shrinking; this is true also to the air travel market. The failure to adjust to demand from and to other international airports in the DR is what made these lines cancel the flights.

Dominican travelers (not foreigners) paid top dollar for non-stop services and will not change even if they reach into the US$800 per flight or more, unlike other routes.

The DR is studying the proposal to lower the taxes and airport charges (some of the highest in the market) to aid the liners to sell more seats with lower fares. But the main reasoning is that lower fares not necessarily translate into more passengers on the current conditions of the US market.

At best the fares could drop US $50.00 or so if taxes and fees are lowered, not much of an enticement at the current rate of fares.

The DR is looking to buy out Shell from the local refinery and use the jet fuel production by the state, without charging the taxes in the fuel to the liners in a preferential timed agreement.

It would be a win-win situation as the state can make up the lost revenues by jet fuel back with the revenues produce by increased travelers to the country.

I don't mind the big players cutting flights to the DR due to this fact, the most benefit will be translated to the home Dominicana and other lines that will soon want to take part in servicing the DR market...

Big players tend to force smaller operators out of their markets by offering fares that would make it impossible to sustain, less yet to compete...

Bye-bye Delta and AA!! About time!!!!

PICHARDO · Jun 4, 2008

Like this:

Pawa inicia vuelos regulares a PR
Pawa Starts regular air service to Puerto Rico...

El Nacional, la voz de todos

The empty slots are now going to be filled...
When you offer regular service where there was the same just days before, chances are you'll do much better than the last...

PICHARDO · Jun 4, 2008

Now add:

Sol Dominicana Airlines.(Coming soon!)
Air Dominicana.(Coming soon!)
Merengue Airlines Dominicana.(Coming soon!)
Ocean Airways Aircraft Services.(Coming soon!)
Caribair. (expanding destinations/planes)

jalencastro · Jun 4, 2008

I have been waiting to see what is going on with Air Dominicana and Merengue Airlines? Are they not in the US yet?

El Tigre · Jun 4, 2008

toneloc24 said:
No worries. This was announced a while back.

Both markets will still be served by Delta out of Atlanta. So, it will just mean a connection in ATL from/to NYC. Which is actually not so bad, since there are hourly flights to Laguardia.

How about people that detest connecting flights like myself? hehehehe.

It is really sad to see Delta go. I really enjoyed their service. Air Dominicana better come quick because I can't fly on AA. I'm going to give JB a chance for the first time this summer.

AZB · Jun 4, 2008

toneloc24 said:
No worries. This was announced a while back.

Both markets will still be served by Delta out of Atlanta. So, it will just mean a connection in ATL from/to NYC. Which is actually not so bad, since there are hourly flights to Laguardia.

For the sake of hijacking the thread (just for a short time): tonloc, when is delta starting atl-mde, cali, cartagena??? when is bogota-jfk route starting?
AZB

Latino2002 · Jun 4, 2008

Hey AZB....que pasa....
Just check today Diario Libre news about Delta leaving the JFK STI and SDQ.
Also the price of jet fuel is very high in the Dominican republic...twice of anywehre in the World...and for sure we can utilize those 737 800 and 757 200 in a more rentable market..like Georgetown....soon delta will recive new 737 700 for others markets.....I know is amazing that JFK market in not doing well.....but guess what....Delta has not even a TV comercial in DR..Or newspaper.....and I always complaint with our Globlal network sales about it....but the excuse is...sorry no budget we need to same $$$$ to keept this airlines running.........
So sad so lost this market...big mistake like we did back in 2001 with atlanta Buenos aires services...delta discontinued the services and launch the services back with a great succesor....Good luck for those that book a Ticket JFK to DR....just call reservation and they will find you a route even with AA or via ATL.......(re'route).
:::: Sorry to see one of the no.1 safe airlines to leave these market????

toneloc24 · Jun 4, 2008

AZB said:
For the sake of hijacking the thread (just for a short time): tonloc, when is delta starting atl-mde, cali, cartagena??? when is bogota-jfk route starting?
AZB

None of the US airlines gained Dept. of Trans. approval to fly into MDE or CLO. Each only were approved to Bogota. This has already been finalized after appeals. Delta recently announced JFK-BOG service to begin in August 2008. Check the site.

Delta will be taking advantage of the "Open Skies Agreement" to Cartagena and Barranquilla, the only two cities available under the agreement. Spirit has already begun the FLL-CTG route.

toneloc24 · Jun 4, 2008

El Tigre said:
How about people that detest connecting flights like myself? hehehehe.

It is really sad to see Delta go. I really enjoyed their service. Air Dominicana better come quick because I can't fly on AA. I'm going to give JB a chance for the first time this summer.

I detest connections too, but what are you gonna do? That flight could remain and the price could cost $800 rt (for example). You willing to pay that? You might be, but try filling an entire plane with that price. Connections don't look that bad anymore, do they? There is a financial reason why JFK - DR flights are being cancelled. But Delta is STILL flying to the DR, just not from JFK.

Fuel prices rising 82% in one year are forcing EVERYBODY to be as flexible as possible. Sad reality of the current state of economics. This blows any budgeting and forecasting out of the water.

I still fail to see how any new airline will be able to compete under such adverse conditions. Even the LCCs have cut routes. Fuel prices are extreme. Then in the DR, the high taxes. Air Dominicana??? We'll see.

Has JetBlue's schedule become more reasonable yet??? I haven't flown them in years, and that was just JFK-STI. Just asking.

~~anna~~ · Jun 13, 2008

From yesterday's Dayton (OHIO) Daily News

Delta Air Lines Inc. on Thursday started nonstop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Antigua and Barbuda.

Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) already has nonstop service to Antigua and Barbuda from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"Delta continues to open new Caribbean routes out of JFK to bring New Yorkers closer to beautiful beaches, sun, and relaxation," said Christophe Didier, Delta vice president of sales and government affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean for Delta. "We have started more than 10 new routes in the Caribbean basin in the last couple of years, many of them departing from JFK as part of our continued international expansion."

Delta is the largest airline flying out of the Dayton International Airport.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
and yet they are discontinuing the JFK-SDQ right?

PICHARDO · Jun 13, 2008

PICHARDO said:
In fact, this represents the actual opening some smaller air companies needed in order to enter the DR-US market...

Given that most travelers prefer to make non stop flights to their destinations towards the US (mostly due to the always late connections there), this will improve the rentability of smaller jets servicing this route.

JetBlue started on these same basic principles when it started to service the US-DR market sometime ago.

Unlike Delta and American, JetBlue restricted the luggage severely due the fact that they sell their cargo space to the commercial parcel services between both nations.

As it stands, JetBlue makes their flights rentable even when the seats are not sold to capacity for travel in the flights...

Air Dominicana will take the empty non-stop spots of American and Delta in the Dominican market to get a foot into the market as soon as possible. In other words, the flights had market established already; what makes them so expensive to run for the other liners is the lack of flexibility on cargo rates to the local DR's market unlike their rival JetBlue.
JetBlue is known to flight premium Dominican goods that are date sensitive to the US market on a daily basis. This goes from flowers grown in Constanza to cigars and organic products.

The DR's market is one of the few in the region still growing instead of shrinking; this is true also to the air travel market. The failure to adjust to demand from and to other international airports in the DR is what made these lines cancel the flights.

Dominican travelers (not foreigners) paid top dollar for non-stop services and will not change even if they reach into the US$800 per flight or more, unlike other routes.

The DR is studying the proposal to lower the taxes and airport charges (some of the highest in the market) to aid the liners to sell more seats with lower fares. But the main reasoning is that lower fares not necessarily translate into more passengers on the current conditions of the US market.

At best the fares could drop US $50.00 or so if taxes and fees are lowered, not much of an enticement at the current rate of fares.

The DR is looking to buy out Shell from the local refinery and use the jet fuel production by the state, without charging the taxes in the fuel to the liners in a preferential timed agreement.

It would be a win-win situation as the state can make up the lost revenues by jet fuel back with the revenues produce by increased travelers to the country.

I don't mind the big players cutting flights to the DR due to this fact, the most benefit will be translated to the home Dominicana and other lines that will soon want to take part in servicing the DR market...
Big players tend to force smaller operators out of their markets by offering fares that would make it impossible to sustain, less yet to compete...

Bye-bye Delta and AA!! About time!!!!

More flights from Santo Domingo and Santiago begin in September
JetBlue adds flights to mark 4th year in Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO.- JetBlue Airways today celebrates four years of low-fare, high-quality service to the Dominican Republic with plans to expand its flight schedule this fall.

During September and October, JetBlue - best known for its friendly crewmembers and seatback TVs -- will redeploy aircraft in order to add extra service from both Santo Domingo and Santiago to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. With its new flights, JetBlue will offer more flights between the Dominican Republic and the New York metro area than any other airline.

"Despite the record high fuel environment the airline industry faces, it makes good business sense to invest in strong markets, and the Dominican Republic is certainly one of them," said Jim Fuoco, JetBlue's Manager of Route Planning. "Here at JetBlue we're pleased to be offering our loyal customers the most flights between the Dominican Republic and New York this fall."

This fall JetBlue will phase-in an additional ten flights each week between Santo Domingo and New York and an additional six flights per week between Santiago and New York. With its expanded service, the Customer-friendly airline will offer New York-bound Dominican travelers up to three daily flights from both Santo Domingo and Santiago. JetBlue also offers daily flights between Puerto Plata and New York and between Santo Domingo and Orlando, Fla.

More here: http://www2.dominicantoday.com/dr/t...lights-to-mark-4th-year-in-Dominican-Republic

Dominican tourism industry looks to sidestep crisis

- The government acknowledges the need to lift the “ad valorem” or tax on jet fuel (avtur); ask the airport owners and management companies to lower by 20 percent their fee per passenger who uses the airports.

- Bolster Air Dominicana, which began its flights Wednesday, so it begins its regular operations as soon as possible and that, consequently, could start flights to the U.S. and Puerto Rico as a regular airline and not just charter this year.

More here: http://www2.dominicantoday.com/dr/e...can-tourism-industry-looks-to-sidestep-crisis

Now read well and learn something...

toneloc24 · Jun 13, 2008

~~anna~~ said:
Delta Air Lines Inc. on Thursday started nonstop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Antigua and Barbuda.

Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) already has nonstop service to Antigua and Barbuda from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"Delta continues to open new Caribbean routes out of JFK to bring New Yorkers closer to beautiful beaches, sun, and relaxation," said Christophe Didier, Delta vice president of sales and government affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean for Delta. "We have started more than 10 new routes in the Caribbean basin in the last couple of years, many of them departing from JFK as part of our continued international expansion."

Delta is the largest airline flying out of the Dayton International Airport.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
and yet they are discontinuing the JFK-SDQ right?

Considering at least 2 other majors airlines are also reducing service to the DR, maybe the DR government will seriously get the hint. Simply put, even though there is much interest by tourists, it's just too expensive to fly to the DR and be competitive. I'm pretty sure Antigua and Barbuda welcomes the business, and won't tax airlines out of their markets.

Latino2002 · Jun 15, 2008

PICHARDO said:
In fact, this represents the actual opening some smaller air companies needed in order to enter the DR-US market...

Given that most travelers prefer to make non stop flights to their destinations towards the US (mostly due to the always late connections there), this will improve the rentability of smaller jets servicing this route.

JetBlue started on these same basic principles when it started to service the US-DR market sometime ago.

Unlike Delta and American, JetBlue restricted the luggage severely due the fact that they sell their cargo space to the commercial parcel services between both nations.

As it stands, JetBlue makes their flights rentable even when the seats are not sold to capacity for travel in the flights...

Air Dominicana will take the empty non-stop spots of American and Delta in the Dominican market to get a foot into the market as soon as possible. In other words, the flights had market established already; what makes them so expensive to run for the other liners is the lack of flexibility on cargo rates to the local DR's market unlike their rival JetBlue.

JetBlue is known to flight premium Dominican goods that are date sensitive to the US market on a daily basis. This goes from flowers grown in Constanza to cigars and organic products.

The DR's market is one of the few in the region still growing instead of shrinking; this is true also to the air travel market. The failure to adjust to demand from and to other international airports in the DR is what made these lines cancel the flights.

Dominican travelers (not foreigners) paid top dollar for non-stop services and will not change even if they reach into the US$800 per flight or more, unlike other routes.

The DR is studying the proposal to lower the taxes and airport charges (some of the highest in the market) to aid the liners to sell more seats with lower fares. But the main reasoning is that lower fares not necessarily translate into more passengers on the current conditions of the US market.

At best the fares could drop US $50.00 or so if taxes and fees are lowered, not much of an enticement at the current rate of fares.

The DR is looking to buy out Shell from the local refinery and use the jet fuel production by the state, without charging the taxes in the fuel to the liners in a preferential timed agreement.

It would be a win-win situation as the state can make up the lost revenues by jet fuel back with the revenues produce by increased travelers to the country.

I don't mind the big players cutting flights to the DR due to this fact, the most benefit will be translated to the home Dominicana and other lines that will soon want to take part in servicing the DR market...

Big players tend to force smaller operators out of their markets by offering fares that would make it impossible to sustain, less yet to compete...

Bye-bye Delta and AA!! About time!!!!

Pichardo....Delta Airlines do not sell thier cargor space to anyone...even for is hard to make money on cargo because of the equipment their use to SDQ B-737 800.
As everyone know the Jetfuel is double in the DR that any part of the world....STIOP can tell you about it....Right now including Jet Blue as major airlines needs to reschedulle all markets and services because we need to make the $$$$ cash to survive....does the DR goverment or us goverment make any attemp to helps those airlines to stay on this markets?? like any other airports in the USA??? Delta stop the Mail cargo with the goverment back on 1999, because the was not enough money for those contracts.....
I know Air Dominicana will start OPS from STI to any port in the USA...Dont know how so far with one aircrafts.....(wonder is this airplane will have a maintance check up).

STIOP · Jun 15, 2008

Fuel price in DR

Latino2002 said:
Pichardo....Delta Airlines do not sell thier cargor space to anyone...even for is hard to make money on cargo because of the equipment their use to SDQ B-737 800.
As everyone know the Jetfuel is double in the DR that any part of the world....STIOP can tell you about it....Right now including Jet Blue as major airlines needs to reschedulle all markets and services because we need to make the $$$$ cash to survive....does the DR goverment or us goverment make any attemp to helps those airlines to stay on this markets?? like any other airports in the USA??? Delta stop the Mail cargo with the goverment back on 1999, because the was not enough money for those contracts.....
I know Air Dominicana will start OPS from STI to any port in the USA...Dont know how so far with one aircrafts.....(wonder is this airplane will have a maintance check up).

Latino2002... my man!! very sad to hear Delta's withdrawal of JFK service Wishing a lot of luck in the ATL flight.....

DR Fuel Prices for today....
JEt-A1 US$4.80
AV-Gas 100LL US$7.86

Everybody thinks that Air Dominicana is going to provide service soon to JFK.... Air Dominicana is providing Charter service to South America at the beginning of its operations so dont count on that JFK-DR flight in an Air Dominicana flight to soon....

Regards

STIOP

PICHARDO · Jun 16, 2008

STIOP said:
Latino2002... my man!! very sad to hear Delta's withdrawal of JFK service Wishing a lot of luck in the ATL flight.....

DR Fuel Prices for today....
JEt-A1 US$4.80
AV-Gas 100LL US$7.86

Everybody thinks that Air Dominicana is going to provide service soon to JFK.... Air Dominicana is providing Charter service to South America at the beginning of its operations so dont count on that JFK-DR flight in an Air Dominicana flight to soon....

Regards

STIOP

Already the leasing of a wide body jet is being negotiated to this end, as we post here...

Air Dominicana is in the baby steps having to cowboy now since the opportunity came knocking in the door.

Jet fuel in the DR is not disproportionally taxed in the air industry. Suffices to say that many liners do happen to fuel up in the DR as a transit-by and not as their final destination. Many European liners want the DR to allow their jets to stop and go here to other SA and Caribbean destinations.

What the air industry servicing the DR won't tell you is that they charge higher rates for all their services unlike multiple other destinations in the Caribbean, where they must constantly fight hard to keep the service running.

The DR is underserved primarily to keep rates artificially higher and gain leverage with local authorities.

Cheaper fuel doesn't translate into cheaper fares, but higher profit ratios for the industry. Notice that JetBlue is able to take over Delta ending services with ease. That's adding that they are not looking for the gov to drop any fees as it stands to offer their services in the DR.

The whole thing is that large airliners tend to cast a broad shadow. They compete with unfair tactics against small companies vying for some market profit. Now with the expenses of fuel too high to pass on the books, they're shrinking to levels where they can compete while turning a real profit.

The way the market works is that big companies like Delta would target smaller companies and run them into the ground with unfair tactics, like offering super deals that no company could match if they wanted to (not possible to turn a profit). That way they ran the small biz out of the routes and took over the vacant market that such company serviced; in contrast, once they got rid of the rivals, fares were increased to cover the primary loses and then went for the kill as seats were reduced via cutting of services.

Today, big companies like Delta and AA are now playing the same field as their rivals. The price of fuel in turn, has rendered their past unfair biz tactics unthinkable.

Avianca will start to service the Colombia-DR route, paying the same fuel costs as Delta in the DR... Go figure it!!! I guess they're willing to lose money heh!?! Think again!

STIOP · Jun 16, 2008

mmmm....

I think i read an expert opinion (on aviation) yet again......

I hope your friend that told you that jetfuel stinks mayor airports told you everything you posted , he definitely knows his aviation.....

I would like for you to explain all your "knowledge" to the hundreds of people that may loose their jobs come September..... maybe Avianca will hire them all, no, maybe Jetblue when they have 10 daily frequencies to STI and the tickets cost US$1,000.

Yes my friend... Now it really STINKS in STI... It was not the pigs, Its the JETFUEL!!!!!!

Happy Jetting!

STIOP

PICHARDO · Jun 16, 2008

I'm not an expert at anything, if something I'm a very careful and educated investor.

I happen to speak more than Spanish, mostly because I need to communicate with biz associates, clients and others in their own language. As basic as they may be, they carry me well around my duty and needs.

Once you come in contact with people in other countries/culture, you're able to learn more than you ever imagined you could ever do. I happen to travel from a young age and love to keep friends in touch wherever I go.

If you happen to qualify expertise with basic knowledge acquired via social/biz interaction, then be my guest! Either that or get a nose look up, since you can't smell jet fuel for what it is... (I guess you got used to it, like the garbage collectors with their daily routine).

Where the ""hundreds" lose their jobs, new offers may be rolling up the doors as Delta packs away. JetBlue is already doing some extra hiring as well as others soon to fill Delta void as well.

Delta along AA are two of the biggest reasons why the DR-US market was always over priced and under served during our travel surges. They never intended to allow others to profit in that market.

One down two to go...

The rule of the market is that the more players the better for the consumer/clients.

As for dumping, I have a report from the local administration in charge of the STI, where not less than 18 such occurrences are d-e-t-a-i-l-e-d. Got friends in nice places that helped get that. The planes were loaded to full capacity transporting paid for, same day parcels...

But, it was the pigs! Right?!?

The breeders just got tired of stinking the place and folded tent, the piggy went to the market...

ccarabella · Jun 17, 2008

AZB Bogota-JFK

AzB - Delta's Bogota to JFK service begins Aug 19, 2008
Flt 395 410p - 905P to BOG
Flt 396 800A - 300P to JFK

Delta's Woeful Decision....

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