This should pave the way for further fare increases, in our opinion.

It shows how tough it is to be a small player and really be able to get a foothold in the industry. I think it bodes well for larger airlines and it may prove difficult for other start-ups .

I think it'd be a nonstarter, ... The size of those two airlines, as well as overlap, makes it prohibitive to (Department of) Justice. And you wouldn't have a clear leader in terms of the merger. Other deals being discussed, you know who's the buyer. With American and Delta, there would be more fighting.

Every year, I would assume, and I really mean that word, that we would think about fare increases. Obviously, the more modest we can make them, I think the more successful we will be in actually realizing the fare increases.

So long as he leaves open the prospect of even further rate increases, however, he won't get it.

Over the longer term, we'll see the same situation as strong or stronger in 2006 due to further increases in demand and environmental restrictions that go into effect at the end of the year and will challenge refiners,