Hi
I observed something really strange and i want to ask if you consider that this is normal ?
I have several daily flights between OTP - CDG. Some of the flights are operated with Airbus A318-100 light and some flights with Bombardier Dash Q400A. On both types the seats are same quality (economy, business advanced, platinum class) and the prices are the same.
While the A318 is flying full (100%) with config 75Y/10C/4F and making a profit of 2202 AS$ the DH4 with config 42Y/8C/3F flies at around 95% loadfactor and has a profit of 2861 AS$.
So i have a big full airplane that makes less profit then an almost full smaller airplane.
In these conditions why would anyone operate the A318 or any other airplane when the DH4 can be used everywhere with unbelievable profit margins ?
The Dash just needs not that much fuel then an A318. Also the Price of a Dash is much cheaper… All this factors make the dash to a "profit wounder" on short Routes. But I wouldn’t use First Class on a short Route… =)