When to Open a Hub?

[Jupiter]

Strategies?

I figured as much as I'd like to do it to test the new feature... I'm not sure I see the point until I'm at least out of slots or pax demand at my base airport. Given there are still plenty of routes with demand well exceeding supply, and a number of slots left... does it really make sense for me to open up a hub?

What are people's thoughts on this?

[castelino009]

Its a good feature to have, but all are here jumping into the 2nd hub instantly. Its a huge investment and I guess airlines should establish themselves in their bases first and as you said when all spots run out or demand met then go for the second hub.

[d2031k]

Strategies?

I figured as much as I'd like to do it to test the new feature... I'm not sure I see the point until I'm at least out of slots or pax demand at my base airport. Given there are still plenty of routes with demand well exceeding supply, and a number of slots left... does it really make sense for me to open up a hub?

What are people's thoughts on this?

As you say, ideally the best time is once you have filled the demand/slots etc from your HQ, but it is a fine balancing act between ensuring dominance at HQ and not letting potential hubs fall to competitors or allowing competition to use your HQ as a hub.  With it being a new feature, I am somewhat guilty of opening hubs as soon as I can like V. Castelino said  but I felt it necessary to gain a foothold in airports I intend to expand into in the future to help protect my airline and my HQ, as I don't want my main competitors to open up a hub at my HQ.

[Curse]

There's no advantage of going as fast as possible into bases, because the only thing you have there to do is rise up RI and this goes very fast.

But who starts at a major airport with enough slots won't need a base until 2010, because of the new delivery system.