Because the most profitable carriers have labour contracts which allow them to fly bigger birds with cost-structures that only exist within the regional 'arms' of the majors. If Air Canada/United/USAirways/Delta had the per-seat-mile labour costs that their subsidiary/affiliates have like AC Jazz/AirWisconsin/Comair/Mesaba etc then they would be more competitive (note I said more, not 'as') with the companies you mentioned. Matthew On Friday, September 12, 2003, at 10:02 AM, Alireza Alivandivafa wrote: > In a message dated 9/11/2003 7:37:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > lafrance@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: > > << "It's good news for Bombardier because there is going to be more > regional jets in operation because that's the most efficient way for > an > airline to make money," said Bombardier aerospace division chief > Pierre > Beaudoin. >>> > > Oh really? How come the most profitable carriers, Ryanair, WN, B6, > all fly > non-regional aircraft?