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Skybus Hoping to Break Even, Raise Fares

January 11, 2008 at 1:20 PM | 0 Comments

Skybus CFO Mike Hodge dropped by Thomasville, North Carolina yesterday--just down the road from Piedmont Triad International--to talk about the airline and its impact on the region. There was lots of industry talk going on, but Hodge also touched on a couple consumer-focused things that should interest Skybus fans and haters alike.

First and foremost, Skybus is still losing money. And while any start-up airline should anticipate a big initial investment, the carrier isn't doing as well as it would've liked by now. That said, the hope is to break even by spring and start making bucks after that. (More routes and more planes should help.)

Also of note was a prediction on airline mergers. Hodge, like many people, thinks at least one will happen this year, which should drive fares up. That'll give Skybus an opportunity to make more money, too:

If fuel stays where it is, we may inch prices up over the next two years.

Related Stories:
· Skybus to Benefit Region, CFO Says [The Dispatch]
· Skybus CEO Emails Us [Jaunted]
· Skybus coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: marada]