7 replies to this topic

[Russ]

I have read the Strategy Guide and researched the threads but I am still unsure of when to create a hub.

According to the Strategy Guide, I should wait until I have about 20 gates, but I notice that many players create a hub with far fewer gates. I assume that results in a positive cash flow but not as significant as a larger number of gates.

Are there other factors that contribute to a hub? Such as % of airport traffic. number of cities served, frequency of flights? Or is it simply a matter of slots used?

[airline55]

well, a hub causes you gates to cost 2x more. So, I would wait until you have: A) A terminal with 25 gates (don't build a terminal with less!), Significant jet operations using jets 737 or larger, and C) A well developed route structure.

[Russ]

well, a hub causes you gates to cost 2x more. So, I would wait until you have: A) A terminal with 25 gates (don't build a terminal with less!), Significant jet operations using jets 737 or larger, and C) A well developed route structure.

What do you mean by a well developed route structure?

[airline55]

make sure that you have enough routes (serving many destinations) to justify the extra expense. You need to make sure that you have route that connect to several different locations (like europe, asia, and the U.S.). This is because, even if you served all cities in, say, the Northeast, but not any other location, it would not make sense to create a hub becuase most of the connections would have to compete with direct routes going to the same locations.

[Russ]

make sure that you have enough routes (serving many destinations) to justify the extra expense. You need to make sure that you have route that connect to several different locations (like europe, asia, and the U.S.). This is because, even if you served all cities in, say, the Northeast, but not any other location, it would not make sense to create a hub becuase most of the connections would have to compete with direct routes going to the same locations.

What about SA? And if I fly to Eur or Asia, should I go to a major hub like LHR or a smaller airport?

[Russ]

Is having widebodies important?

[BarbulaM1]

Build a hub when you have a conciderable amount of traffic running through that particular airport. Also, a hub and spoke network is the only way a hub will work out for you. as for airlines having hubs with little traffic or a small number of gates, at this stage in the game a major airline can just go out pick an airport, hub that airport, build a small (or large) terminal and take over the airport. I have built most of my terminals and hubs under 20 gates, and they work fine. But my route structor is very hub/spoke.

[Russ]

Build a hub when you have a conciderable amount of traffic running through that particular airport. Also, a hub and spoke network is the only way a hub will work out for you. as for airlines having hubs with little traffic or a small number of gates, at this stage in the game a major airline can just go out pick an airport, hub that airport, build a small (or large) terminal and take over the airport. I have built most of my terminals and hubs under 20 gates, and they work fine. But my route structor is very hub/spoke.

So when setting up my routes should I go for LF rather than max profit? If I have a choice between a LF of 72 or 66 with minor profit implications should I go for the higher LF or when I add the hub will the LF increase?