Is basing yourself at a medium- size airport worth it?

Started by sambessey, February 21, 2009, 11:25:34 AM

sambessey

Thinking of paying for a game, but wondering if it is possible to make a go of it from a medium- sized airport.

For example, my local airport is Bristol (EGGD). Handles about 6-7M Pax P/A in real life, and due to a short runwsay is limited to offering direct flights to somewhere like Newark on a fully loaded 75 or Orlando Sanford on a 76 (With some concessions), or further afield with a technical stop.

Is it worth trying to make a go of it from an airport like this?

Thanks

Kontio

Sure, depends on what your goals are in the game. If you want to dominate the world with a huge long-haul fleet, you have to start at a large airport. If you are fine with operating a more regional airline with maybe a couple of long-haul destinations, a medium sized airport may be even better. It has sufficient demand but does not attract a swarm of competitors. Important things to consider are runway length and flight curfew (best select an airport that is open 24h).

demage

Grab an airport without competition (other airlines based there) and one that runs about 60% plus.  Make sure it is a 24Hr airport with a runway long enough to suit what you want to do ie: short, medium or long haul routes or a combination. 

demage

I have had a look and the airline at Bristol is well established.  If you try Birmingham it is larger and only has one competitor with one plane.  This is probably the best starting point in the UK.

Seattle

Im based in Bristol in game three, demand is fine.  :)

Also..... If your thinking of basing their- dont. We would both be losing alot of money due to the fact that more than one person would just ruin any profits at an airport with 4-10 million pax.
Founder of the Star Alliance!

Mahon

I don't see why you couldn't make a go at an airport like that. It sounds BETTER than the one I'm operating out of (successfully) in Game 2. ;)

Kastor

It really is worth to take medium airport if you are alone there because you will have a problem with competitors taking routes from their domestic airports to yours, but this is possible to sustain, however having competition based inside the same airport would kill both.

Monk Xion

I say yes, because much of the competition over looks smaller airports