The Super Oversupplied Route Award

[auerbacs]

I would like to propose a new award: The Super Oversupplied Route Award

Everybody always talks about how his routes are oversupplied to a ridiculous level. And I don't mean to suggest that any rules are being broken, only that many airlines are trying to meet demand on the route. But I'm curious to know which routes are actually the most oversupplied (as ratio of supply to demand). Obviously, we can't include old-version games where people would operate empty planes on an AB route just to get to a BC route. But what are the most oversupplied routes so far in the new versions? Anybody have any early nominations? Can I get a 3:1 ratio? 4:1?

Auerbacs

[Dave4468]

I propose the "Most Audacious Hogging of LHR Slots" 

[Sigma]

I've seen lots of routes at 3:1, that's not hard at all.

With everyone able to supply 200% demand, there's gotta be some major hubs that are operating at a good 6:1 by now.

[meiru]

... I don't have an example for such a route... but a question... why do so many talk about oversupplied routs? ... what do you think why they exist? ... it's simple... because the airlines want to take over the route... so, that's competition. I don't see any negative things in it... I mean, what should I do, when I see, that no additional seats are needed on a route? ... not fly it and leave it to the others? ... of course not! ... and then, it could be necessairy to fly it so frequently, so that you might oversupply it even with your seats alone... but, of course you hope, that the other one will leave the route one day... that's business...

[Sigma]

... I don't have an example for such a route... but a question... why do so many talk about oversupplied routs?

Because some people like to whine about anything.  There's a fairly vocal group of people (not always the same ones) that really don't desire any level of financial dealings in this game if they could have it their way.  They don't like people 'ruining' their fun.  Not saying it's bad, it's just the way they want to play.  You get a broad spectrum of people who want to play the game different ways in any multiplayer game -- the people complaining about oversupply are often referred to as "carebears" in other types of games.  It's sami's job to determine which method yields him the most income and do whatever he needs to do to make the game cater to that group or attempt to straddle both the best he can.

[luke3]

I've never whined about oversupplied routes but i can see why it gets annoying. From personal experience i see no need to provide 3-4 times the number of seats demanded on a certain route. If more competitive than other airlines serving the route, supplying the right demand is enough to get you the majority share and eventually drive the competition out. There is demand for 600 seats, supply all 600, maybe with 6 daily frequencies flown by efficient 100 seat aircraft with good advertising and you'll have the edge sooner or later. No need to dump 2400 seats with 8 daily 747s, even because i'm sure it will be more of a cost for the airline than a profit.
Or maybe i just haven't been playing long enough to appreciate the results. Sure, in the short run it drives out the competition, but in the long run it will be detrimental i belive

[auerbacs]

By the way, I have no problem with oversupplied routes. Would you prefer it that I phrase it as the most competitive routes? I was just curious to see what some of the highest ones are. I also suspect that there are some 6:1 ratios out there, or at least 4:1, no? Any nominations?

[LemonButt]

If I put a 20 seater plane on a route with 0 demand, does that mean I win the prize with an oversupply ratio of infinity?

[elleana]

If I put a 20 seater plane on a route with 0 demand, does that mean I win the prize with an oversupply ratio of infinity?

[Dave4468]

If I put a 20 seater plane on a route with 0 demand, does that mean I win the prize with an oversupply ratio of infinity?

No. You get that when you fly that route with an A380! 

[auerbacs]

If I put a 20 seater plane on a route with 0 demand, does that mean I win the prize with an oversupply ratio of infinity?

You'll have to try it to see what the prize committee thinks about it.

Shane