Air Pacific Media Monitoring: Week of May 19th to May 23rd

Purchase airline tickets on a weekend for best deals, says Texas A&M Research 

Texas A&M Times

May 16th, 2014

http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2014/05/16/purchase-airline-tickets-on-the-weekend-for-best-deals-say-texas-am-researchers/#.U3vks17phBU

• Summary: Texas A&M research has found that the long standing myth of buying tickets on Tuesday or Wednesday because they are the cheapest then is no longer the case. Statistically speaking, it is more cost efficient to buy an airplane ticket on a Saturday or Sunday when airlines are more likely to discount flights.
• Relevance: Great opportunity for Air Pacific to market low cost flights to the public. 

Airlines Plan To Return Greater Cash To Shareholders As The Industry's Finacial Health Improves

Forbes

May 20th, 2014

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/05/20/airlines-plan-to-return-greater-cash-to-shareholders-as-the-industrys-finacial-health-improves/

• Summary: Southwest, Delta and Alaska airlines have all announced that they will return more money to their stockholders soon. Forbes believes the industries health is due to consolidation of airlines and the demand for air travel. 
• Relevance: More demand for air travel will only help the success of Air Pacific.

RIP to the 'Southwest effect'?

USA Today

May 19, 2014

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2014/05/19/southwest-effect/9273899/

• Summary: Southwest used to be known as America's low-fare leader, but today, that title means nothing. With the consolidation of the airline industry, Southwest is having a harder time offering low cost flights.
• Relevance: Something to consider when marketing low cost flights. How much do we want to push this idea? 

San Antonio to host major airline industry conference

San Antonio Business Journal 

May 16th, 2014

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2014/05/san-antonio-to-host-major-airline-industry.html

• Summary: San Antonio is hosting the American Association of Airline Executives conference and exposition May 18-21. This event will have about two dozen educational sessions taught by top airline executives, TSA and FAA officials and  industry suppliers. 
• Relevance: This is something that we should look into having Air Pacific executives go to.  

Portland flights to Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta beginning in November sought by Alaska Airlines

Oregonian

May 20th, 2014

• Summary: Alaska airlines has put in a request to the US Department of Transportation and the Mexican Aviation authority to offer flights from Portland airport to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. It could take up to four weeks for approval, but the flights and prices will be set to start operation in November.
• Relevance: Alaska Airlines is one of our biggest competitors. Look into offering similar flights.