Those AA prices were dirt cheap. Put it this way with the PAWA website down they wouldn't have gotten that business. If a cheap fare is available, even if it isn't the absolute lowest the nonstop flight will grab the passenger. Most people try to minimize time spent on planes.
With the 3rd largest Caribbean origin population in the USA (behind Puerto Ricans, and Cubans) there is no doubt that PAWA will do well on its JFK/MIA routes. With strong ties between PR and DR (both directions) clearly PAWA should also do well into SJU.
So it isn't as if I am claiming that PAWA will not do well. Even if no leisure passenger steps foot on these planes the huge Dominican population guarantees a market. I have never seen a bad review for this airline so I assume that most Dominicans will give them a try.
My point is PAWA thinking that SDQ will emerge as a hub for travel between the Caribbean and the USA. It will not for all the reasons that I gave. This isn't to say that they might not get some business, but if on any MIA flight only 10 or 15 passengers transfer that really isn't a hub.
I also see no reason why PAWA will kill its yields to compete against carriers with nonstop service to JFK/MIA when they can definitely command good yields on the JFK/MIA SDQ, given the very strong ethnic market which exists.
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It appears as if Insel is in full meltdown, and it will not surprise me if the CUR grounds them, as they have begun to cannibalize their planes for parts. So short of cash, because Venezuela has their $$$. Some one will replace them as CUR is too valuable a hub for Caribbean/South America traffic. So this PAWA advantage will be short term.
So PAWA can do well on its CUR/AUA routes, even into SXM where Insel (theoretically) flies daily nonstop, And of course into PAP/HAV from its Caribbean points, as these have poor connectivity to most parts of the Caribbean.
PAWA will really have to be cheap to PAP to entice some one to spend 5 hours flying, plus a transfer, when MIA/FLL is a mere 1 1/2 hours away. Remember also that Haitians travel very heavy, so lugging cabin bags around will be tough with a transfer. The 4 y/o kid will use their cabin allocation. Obviously the adult will have to carry this, plus their own.
Im agree with you about JFK/MIA/SJU where there are a tons of Dominicans living, but remember that PAWA is not thinking only serve Dominicans. So can you tell me what are your recomendations for the next routs they plan to open like POS, KIN, NASS, where there are not a lot Dominicans living? Hub mean habilibity of connect between flights and that is what PAWA is doing now in SDQ now, connecting south Caribbean - East Caribbean, Mayor Antilleans - and USA, and the only way to do that is working as a Hub.
About faster way to arrive is not the only reason to use an airline, bedside the price if plane is full or travel schedule can make you to take a longer route with stop in some other airport.