Perhaps this is only in non-open worlds, but unless I'm flying from ATL, there will always be at least 5 routes with more than 200 demand and none to very little competition. YYZ and HND are among the biggest airports in their countries, so you can expect to meet competition. Flying between secondary european airports I can connect a least 50 airports using daily+ E-Jets without ever meeting competition.
ATR are quite efficient and cheap turboprops in the 50 - 78 passenger range. You'll find them where it says 'ATR'. Shorter flights make more money than longer ones.

I'm going to be trying this approach whenever I get onto a new server next. Aim is to see how much I can make with smaller planes and smaller locations.

Many "veterans" started their airlines with ATRs; if you can fly A380 ATL-LHR from day one, I guess you are far more skillful than the veterans.

See, I'm new. I'm not sure what ATRs are. Also not all the veterans start in ATL and if they did, they should already be fighting with others to flight routes. Not really sure what your point is.

And just because inactive routes are regularly freed doesn't mean there's no competition for it. At least not on worlds with over 200 players. Maybe it's just the open worlds or servers that have a lot of people that's like this. But so far, any route that has more than 50 demand, has someone flying that route. I've tried starting from Toronto (YYZ) and Tokyo - Haneda (HND) so far. Unless there are a lot of details not being said, there's been competition to go pretty much anywhere.

Ah. The bond payment date must have been on the payroll date. That would explain my warning and sudden drop in money.

I have a question about this. I just got my 3rd warning on bonds but I have enough money to pay it back. Why did I get the warning if I had enough money to pay? It also lowered my credit rating to D now.

I would like to get an analysis of how I'm doing too if that's ok. PM or just reply here.

I disagree with the advice to stay off other people's routes.  Just saying that a route belongs to someone is silly.  In my game play, it's a free for all and competition makes it fun.  No need to tip-toe around other players.

 

At the same time, I'll also accept the consequences if the competitor turns around and shows me who's who for doing so.  I'm just careful who I think I can compete against and if it's worth it.

I would have to agree with the above statement. Mostly because any city worth flying to, is going to have competition. Any city that no one flies to, will in most cases only result in a loss of revenue. So why are so many "veterans" suggesting to new people that they should lose money? Unless you want new players to be using $10 planes that carry less than 50 people at a time, we newbies have to join the fight too.