IT'S BECOMING THE SPOKE AND HUB SYSTEM

Like many, I was given some interesting books to read and wondered why. For marketing, I was given On War by von Clausewitz.

Quoting: "The efficacy of a fortress is plainly composed of two different elements, the passive and the active. By the first it shelters the place, and all that it contains [think hub]; by the other it possesses a certain influence over the adjacent country, even beyond the range of its guns [think spoke]".

Strategies are unfolding by carriers of all ilk. I am starting to question whether fortress should be used to describe hubs.

Today, one carrier says attack the spoke. Another says protect the hub. In 2018 we did a lot of rigorous work determining where traffic would grow. PHX topped the large hub airport list.

Topping the medium hub list was AUS, SAT, RDU, BNA, ONT, CMH and SNA to name a few - all important spokes to many hubs. Think about all of the new service these markets are getting.

It feels like the late 80's again when WN was turning small hubs into medium hubs. Similar outcomes will be realized by today's medium and small hubs. For some, on a faster timeline. Yesterday's important spokes are being targeted. Not saying it is bad.

Attack the spoke. Protect the hub.

News coming.