Facing heavy competition - Fight or pivot?

[alberto_barbero]

Hi everyone,
I'm relatively new to AirwaySim. After wrapping up a beginner world, I've jumped into my first standard game.
I managed to find a handful of profitable, underserved routes, but recently two rival airlines moved in aggressively in some of them. The problem is that the market demand simply isn't large enough to support three carriers. As a result, my load factors dropped from healthy levels down to ~50%, and route profitability has taken a major hit.
Is it worth fighting or is it better to pull out?
Thanks in advance for the advice!

[groundbum2]

the advice by definition is going to be generic, given the paucity of information.

In general a new small airline wants to avoid fights with the big guys. Big guys generally is defined as more money, more pax, more planes, more achievements. The best thing you can do when starting the game is NOT open in or fly to major hubs. The BGs will be in the major hubs and will soon enough come knocking at your door. They tend to grow big and with many planes, and will drop a load on a route and move on.

Suggestion : you need to play holistically. An airline is not defined by one or two routes. Expand over many many routes, all profitable, all avoiding the BGs, and generating cash so you'll survive.

[alberto_barbero]

Thanks for the feedback. To give a bit more context: I'm playing the Airline Generations scenario (currently 1957) and started a few weeks ago out of Hamburg. Initially, I had the base to myself, but recently two larger carriers moved in and started overlapping on about a quarter of my routes.
My main issue with just abandoning those routes is finding viable alternatives for my fleet medium/high-demand destinations are already very saturated.
Should I open a second base elsewhere, or terminate the leases? (I'm currently flying 30-seat Saab 90 in most of those routes).

[groundbum2]

that's a very different kettle of fish - having two large players open in your HQ! First look at the two players and their airlines and their CEOs achievements (look at their username and then achievements) and decide whether they are aggressive players that will grow quick. They could look large to you, but just be flabby. Or they could be sharks  That's for you to determine. If they are sharks you need to open another base, especially one not obvious to them, and generate cash their to offset your stunted growth in your HQ. If you're in an alliance ask other players for advice about the new 2 people at your HQ and what's known about their playing style.

If a big guy opens in your base it's best to quickly open another base yourself as the big guy can't open another base for 12 months so you have some breathing room.

Simon

[NZelenkova]

My suggestion if you don't want to have to fight the elite players regardless of if you are new or not is to find a country with a large number of viable domestic airports that doesn't currently have anyone based within its borders. It might take longer to grow into a massive international operation but at least you have the local monopoly to insulate you from aggressive competitors. There are a few out there that don't always attract a player that can support multiple bases.