Mesa's GO! could be the new "Aloha" Airlines....article

[General Lee]

Press ReleaseSource: Mesa Air Group, Inc.

Mesa Air Group Settles Aloha Lawsuit and Agrees to Enter Long Term Licensing Agreement
Friday November 28, 5:41 pm ET
PHOENIX, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MESA - News) today announced that it entered into a settlement with the former controlling shareholder of Aloha Airlines concerning the Aloha Airlines lawsuit over Mesa's Hawaiian inter-island flight services operated under the go! brand name. Under the terms of the settlement, and without admitting any wrongdoing, Mesa agreed:
-- Mesa will make a cash payment of $2 million;
-- Mesa will issue shares of Mesa common stock equal to 10% of its currently outstanding shares;
-- Mesa will provide certain Hawaiian inter-island travel benefits to the former employees of Aloha Airlines;
-- In the event the shareholder is able to purchase the "Aloha" name in the upcoming bankruptcy court auction, it will license the "Aloha" name to Mesa.

"We are extremely pleased to resolve all claims put forward in this litigation and look forward to re-branding service under the Aloha name in the near future," said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa. "This settlement resolves all claims by Aloha Airlines related to Mesa's entry into the Hawaiian inter-island market and permits us to focus solely on our core competency of providing the best service, convenient schedules and low fare pricing to our customers. We intend to carry on Aloha's proud tradition, maintain Mesa's status as Hawaii's low cost air carrier and look forward to future growth opportunities made possible by this settlement."


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[On Your Six]

Press ReleaseSource: Mesa Air Group, Inc.

Mesa Air Group Settles Aloha Lawsuit and Agrees to Enter Long Term Licensing Agreement
Friday November 28, 5:41 pm ET
PHOENIX, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MESA - News) today announced that it entered into a settlement with the former controlling shareholder of Aloha Airlines concerning the Aloha Airlines lawsuit over Mesa's Hawaiian inter-island flight services operated under the go! brand name. Under the terms of the settlement, and without admitting any wrongdoing, Mesa agreed:
-- Mesa will make a cash payment of $2 million;
-- Mesa will issue shares of Mesa common stock equal to 10% of its currently outstanding shares;
-- Mesa will provide certain Hawaiian inter-island travel benefits to the former employees of Aloha Airlines;
-- In the event the shareholder is able to purchase the "Aloha" name in the upcoming bankruptcy court auction, it will license the "Aloha" name to Mesa.

"We are extremely pleased to resolve all claims put forward in this litigation and look forward to re-branding service under the Aloha name in the near future," said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa. "This settlement resolves all claims by Aloha Airlines related to Mesa's entry into the Hawaiian inter-island market and permits us to focus solely on our core competency of providing the best service, convenient schedules and low fare pricing to our customers. We intend to carry on Aloha's proud tradition, maintain Mesa's status as Hawaii's low cost air carrier and look forward to future growth opportunities made possible by this settlement."


Bye Bye--General Lee

Interesting. I am betting not many former Aloha pilots will want to fly for the "enemy." Will they still fly those older CRJs or will they add bigger airplanes (i.e., newer CR9s)?

 

[Raoul Duke]

If it creates pilot jobs it is good news - too many people on the street right now

 

[DYLIN]

If it creates pilot jobs it is good news - too many people on the street right now

No, it is not good news.

Aloha jobs being replaced by Mesa jobs is never, ever good news.

I see what you mean and I know you're thinking any jobs are good but I disagree when you step back and see what has happened with airline jobs in Hawaii there is absolutely nothing good about it.

 

[captain007]

I wonder if the plan is for RJ's or 73's at rj pay?

This is interesting, I thought Mesa was on their way out.

 

[crj567]

MESA IS DONE!!!

They are about to be de-listed... Their stock is only 20 cents..... These guys are toast.....

Once the stock gets de-listed, they are completely through. They could always try a reverse stock split, but I really don't think they will get through this credit crisis.

The real tragedy is that J.O. still treads the Earth. That guy is as bad or worse than any other corporate raider, yet he totally gets off becase no one pays attention to the "little" airlines like Mesa!

The main thing that makes me think Mesa will eat it is liquidity. You know these guys will need to borrow a lot to get this operation going, but who the hell would loan them money?

-TOAST!

 

[Freight Dog]

As a former Aloha pilot, I feel sick to my stomach. So many fighting words just last fall, only to give up 61 year old namebrand to someone like JO and Mesa.

Sick...

 

[MELVIS]

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

 

[crj567]

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

-Gen Lee has something in his mouth, it is slimy and smells a little, but it ain't exactly throw-up!

 

[metrodriver808]

As a former Aloha pilot, I feel sick to my stomach. So many fighting words just last fall, only to give up 61 year old namebrand to someone like JO and Mesa.

Sick...

I agree, it would be a total slap in the face. Mesa Sux!

 

[jmt]

As a former Aloha pilot, I feel sick to my stomach. So many fighting words just last fall, only to give up 61 year old namebrand to someone like JO and Mesa.

Sick...

The sad thing is people are starting to ask me why I won't apply at Mesa to get my old job back.

 

[General Lee]

MESA IS DONE!!!

They are about to be de-listed... Their stock is only 20 cents..... These guys are toast.....

Once the stock gets de-listed, they are completely through. They could always try a reverse stock split, but I really don't think they will get through this credit crisis.

The real tragedy is that J.O. still treads the Earth. That guy is as bad or worse than any other corporate raider, yet he totally gets off becase no one pays attention to the "little" airlines like Mesa!

The main thing that makes me think Mesa will eat it is liquidity. You know these guys will need to borrow a lot to get this operation going, but who the hell would loan them money?

-TOAST!

Did you throw an app into them already? I hear they are looking for professional lav dumpers in Hilo and Bakersfield...and you especially would make a sh#$ load, of something anyway...(or clean one---wear the face mask for gawdsake!)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Dan Roman]

In this economy, there are hedge funds that need cash badly, either to stay afloat or to pursue other investments. My guess is that this was all about cash NOW for Yucaipa (the ex owners of AQ).
The ill will this will create towards Mesa/Aloha airlines in Hawaii will be huge.

 

[densoo]

What's a preacher doing buying an airline? Didn't his wife win in a lawsuit against her recently?

 

[IBNAV8R]

JO had help!!

In this economy, there are hedge funds that need cash badly, either to stay afloat or to pursue other investments. My guess is that this was all about cash NOW for Yucaipa (the ex owners of AQ).
The ill will this will create towards Mesa/Aloha airlines in Hawaii will be huge.

It's sad, but ill will doesn't count for crap if they offer seats for $5 less than the competition. In my view, the people of Hawaii were willing participants in AQ's demise. It's not like those turds (Go) had any codeshare - it was all point-to-point. Having grown up there and been fed crap like homegrown loyalty, kokua, "Aloha Spirit" or "Hawaiian Pride", I'm more than a little bitter.

 

[SFR]

This is the business, deal with it. Loyalty goes nowhere.

When times are good at your company you better be preparing for the bad times.

I feel no sympathy to the folks that spend all their money as soon as they get a raise.

B Smart

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Scumbags!!!

Ornstein can't build a real airline, so he puts one out of business, then settles to buy the name.

What a kick in the Jimmy to all the good folks who flew there. Good luck to all who lost their jobs...

 

[QCappy]

If it creates pilot jobs it is good news - too many people on the street right now

It will create no jobs. The GO airplanes will be repainted. That's it.

 

[Dan Roman]

It's sad, but ill will doesn't count for crap if they offer seats for $5 less than the competition. In my view, the people of Hawaii were willing participants in AQ's demise. It's not like those turds (Go) had any codeshare - it was all point-to-point. Having grown up there and been fed crap like homegrown loyalty, kokua, "Aloha Spirit" or "Hawaiian Pride", I'm more than a little bitter.

You've got a point, but I think there is a very large percentage of the population that will always be VERY bitter towards Mesa/Aloha. When it was Hawaiian and Aloha over here there were two good airlines competing and both had their share of loyal customers. But Mesa/Aloha has to compete in a market that will mostly resent them.
I think you would be surprised how widespread the resentment towards Mesa is over here. Yes some people will forget, but a LOT won't.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Is this why there was an EMB 195 in PHX this week at the old customs hanger?