The leisure traveler who books in advance and the business traveler who books at the last minute will all find greater choice. With more competition between hubs, the downward pressure on prices will continue. Post-deregulation competition has helped drive down fares by 40 percent. That momentum is not going to change. It will challenge Delta's dominance on its routes in and out of Atlanta.
Commerce follows air connections.
Where cities like Charlotte become part of a global system, business will grow. It will be a wake-up call to American, which has had virtual control of the Caribbean and Latin American markets. It will provide a brand new competitor in markets only one or two carriers had served that and now will be served by two or three. Current US Airways passengers will gain same-carrier service to 117 U.S. cities and 28 international destinations. Current United passengers will gain same-carrier service to 80 U.S. cities and 13 international destinations.