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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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New Budget Airline Launches With 1 Plane, $9 Seats

First few seats are $9; all extras will cost you

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(Newser) – The founder of the short-lived discount airline Skybus thinks conditions are right for a second attempt at adding service to less-used regional airports, the Chicago Tribune reports. JetAmerica will follow the model of European budget carriers like Ryanair, offering a handful of seats for $9 and charging for services like food, checked bags, and in-flight TV.

Entrepreneur John Weikle sees his success in lower oil prices and the neglect of smaller airports (think Toledo, Ohio, and Melbourne, Fla.) by the big carriers. JetAmerica will start off with a single plane making 34 stops per week. After the nine $9 tickets for each flight get snapped up, prices will vary, maxing out at $199 per seat.

In this artist's rendering provided by JetAmerica, a JetAmerica aircraft is shown. The company said 34 nonstop passenger flights a week will start July 13.
In this artist's rendering provided by JetAmerica, a JetAmerica aircraft is shown. The company said 34 nonstop passenger flights a week will start July 13.   (JetAmerica)
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His timing is actually pretty good. Unfortunately, airlines serving those small markets very rarely make it. He will not get economies of scale or scope. - Vaughn Cordle, a former airline pilot turned market researcher

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3 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 27, 09 12:01 PM CDT
So it's like a lottery for the cheap seats? Reply
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TRU2TM3
May 27, 09 12:17 PM CDT
There is a point where one should stop hunting for the lowest prices for some services... one example may be when cruising at 500 mph 35,000 ft above sea level. Call me old fashioned, but I would be willing to pay more than $9 for that. Reply
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LapsedPacifist
May 27, 09 1:59 PM CDT
That's great, but I'll be happier to sit beside you and pay $9.
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