Route focuses are important for airlines because they allow them to concentrate their resources in areas where they can be the most profitable. By serving a high frequency of flights to a particular area, an airline can build brand awareness and loyalty among customers, and it can also make it more difficult for competitors to enter the market.
Some of the factors that airlines consider when determining their route focuses include:
* The size of the population in the area
* The level of economic activity in the area
* The presence of other airlines serving the area
* The airline's own competitive strengths
Major airlines typically have several route focuses, each served by a different hub. For example, United Airlines has hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Delta Air Lines has hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City.
