Airtran comes to CLT

[clt72pilot]

Its about time we get a low cost carrier here in CLT. I was tired of that 4 hour drive to ATL.
I have some rooms/crashpads available in CLT. Anybody know how to post them in front of the potential CLT Airtran employees?

[haze]

Here's the scoop:

AirTran Moves Into US Airways' N.C. Hub

Source: Comtex News Network (AP Online - Comtex)

AirTran Airways said Thursday it is prepared for a tough battle on US Airways' home turf when it begins flying out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport on May 4.

Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran Holdings Inc. plans four daily flights from Charlotte to Atlanta, where it is the second largest carrier after Delta Air Lines Inc., and two daily flights to Baltimore-Washington.

US Airways Group Inc., in bankruptcy reorganization for the second time since 2001, is by far the largest carrier at Charlotte, with 567 daily departures to more than 100 cities.

AirTran will offer a roundtrip walkup fare of $314 to Baltimore and $378 to Atlanta.

By comparison, a walkup roundtrip on US Airways to Baltimore, leaving Friday, was selling for $913 Thursday. A similar ticket to Atlanta on US Airways or Delta cost $845.

"We expect US Airways to compete vigorously, (but) we think we can compete with anybody," AirTran President and Chief Operating Officer Robert L. Fornaro said at a news conference announcing the new service. He said AirTran plans to add more destinations out of Charlotte in the fall; possibilities include Orlando, New York City's LaGuardia Airport and other Northeast cities.

US Airways faces similar pressure from discount rival Southwest Airlines Co., which moved into US Airways' other major cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

On Thursday, Dallas-based Southwest said it will begin 10 new nonstops each day from Pittsburgh to Chicago, Philadelphia, Orlando and Las Vegas beginning May 4.

Southwest is marking its Pittsburgh expansion with $29 one-way fares to Philadelphia and Chicago's Midway airport through May 26.

After the announcement, US Airways matched Southwest's fares.

[SDK4]

Considering US Airways is on the verge of collapsing, it would be nice to see Airtran spread out to other destinations from Charlotte once US cuts back on its flights.