ABX to compete with DHL?

[abexpilot]

The talk in town is that ABX has hired consultants to study the possibility of ABX purchasing KHA to be the distribution point for ANA in the US. Hete would say bye-bye to DHL, and they would have to scramble to find 86 aircraft in short order. hmmmmmm......

 

[rotor&wing]

that kool-aid over there must be mighty tasty!

 

[Cargoav8or]

The talk in town is that ABX has hired consultants to study the possibility of ABX purchasing KHA to be the distribution point for ANA in the US. Hete would say bye-bye to DHL, and they would have to scramble to find 86 aircraft in short order. hmmmmmm......

Ba-bye.

 

[shooter]

Ba-bye.

yup...ba-bye DHL in the USA.

 

[HeavyjetDC8]

The KHA rumor was actually doing the rounds last week prior to the announced interest from AStar . A domestic operation other than DHL isn't beyond the scope of reasonable possibility - it's the logistics of ABX flying in Asia that pushes the boundary.

 

[rotor&wing]

Looks like Astar will be picking up the ANA flying as well.


**************************************

As you may have heard, our Board of Directors has received by letter a non-binding indication of interest from ASTAR Air Cargo,LLC to acquire ABX Air for $7.75 per share, payable in cash. No matter what you may have heard, we did not solicit this overture, and we have not put the company up for sale.


Nevertheless, we are a public corporation, which means that our Board members have a fiduciary duty- or responsibility to excercise a high degree of care-to evaluate the ASTAR letter on behalf of our shareholders. They are consulting with independant financial and legal advisors, and will respond in due course.


Unfortunately, until our Board members complete their work, we simply cannot speculate on the outcome, or respond to ASTAR's statements about its intent. Unlike ASTAR, which is privately owned, we are subject to federal laws that limit what, when, and how we may communicate with you and others at times like this.


However , I assure you that we are committed to keeping you informed about any developments, as often and as quickly as we can. I can tell you that rumors about a link between the overture from ASTAR and the possibility of Abx Air forming a new holding company structure for ABX Air are unfounded.


Please be assured that as our Board members consider ASTAR's letter, the are aware that events like this are unsettling for you and your families, and leave you with many questions about the future. You should know that ABX Air's future is bright, and we regard our employees as vital for our future. You have done a wonderful job of building a great company. I encourage you to remain focused on keeping our company safe and successful by continuing to deliver high quality service that maintains the respect and confidence of our customers, shareholders, and communities.

When we have something to announce, we will make sure it is posted on our bullentin boards and in other locations as appropriate. If you have specific questions that are not addressed by the press release, please feel free to talk with your supervisor who can forward them on to Employee Relations. Alternatively, you may contact John Starkovich at ext.62096 or email him at m0n3, or write the [email protected]

Have A Quality Day!

Joseph C. Hete
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[abxaviator]

How do you infer that? Hete's letter has no mention of ANA.

 

[rotor&wing]

How do you infer that? Hete's letter has no mention of ANA.

I can tell you that rumors about a link between the overture from ASTAR and the possibility of Abx Air forming a new holding company structure for ABX Air are unfounded.

 

[abxaviator]

Okay, the typeface is bigger, but says the same thing; no mention of ASTAR keeping the ANA flying. If DHL wants the 767F's, they'll get them, not ANA. I certainly don't know, I was just curious how you get to your conclusion.

 

[Fly Astar Jets]

abxaviator,
I think what R&W is eluding to is the "contract" with ANA to do the Asian charter work.

Clear as mud.

 

[Airbus300]

However , I assure you that we are committed to keeping you informed about any developments, as often and as quickly as we can. I can tell you that rumors about a link between the overture from ASTAR and the possibility of Abx Air forming a new holding company structure for ABX Air are unfounded.

My interpretation of this is that ABX Air did not form the holding company a couple of months ago with the intent of selling off most of the company to Astar. The Astar offer was a surprise to them. The holding company was set up for another purpose. (That is my guess...but it was not written clearly.)

 

[rotor&wing]

Okay, the typeface is bigger, but says the same thing; no mention of ASTAR keeping the ANA flying. If DHL wants the 767F's, they'll get them, not ANA. I certainly don't know, I was just curious how you get to your conclusion.

Astar has made the offer to buy out ABX, including everything down to the pencils on the desk. (the offer was for ALL of the ABX stock)

Astar has and still flies charters. Astar has operated the Pacific Rim, North, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East. The ANA contract is with ABX appears to be a lucritive venture, and I would bet DHL would be interested in getting involved with it also.

Time will tell.

 

[abxaviator]

Okay, I agree with all you said there. It is indeed lucrative, on the way to China today, we were discussing how DHL might want to keep this going and how they could do it. As you say, time will tell.

 

[penguin22]

I guess there’s two reasons why I think spinning off ANA is at least a possibility.

1. There were rumors of Joe separating with some 767s to just do ANA before Astars proposal was announced. So an ABX/Astar merger provided a catalyst for it to happen.

2. A final agreed upon buyout can end up looking very different from the original offer (or letter of intent). When negotiating the buyout, Joe could try to spin off the ANA op as part of the deal. Seems logical if he assumes he wouldn’t be running things post merger. There’s the whole issue of 121 certificates, but for the sake of argument, let’s just assume it gets arranged somehow.

That said, I hope it doesn’t happen. DHL hasn’t been nice to ABX. They keep parking our airplanes. Still rumors of more DC9s getting parked. (of course, if there’s a resultant furlough, its because of those greedy senior pilots putting the screws to the guys on the bottom, and not because DHL is parking more DC9s. Even though opf goes far past ‘senior’ guys. But I digress ) It’s nice to have another major customer, and not have to rely solely on DHL. All our growth has been from ANA, and all our shrinking has been from DHL. Let’s just say ANA raises our career expectations.

None of us have been impressed with the way DHL has been running things since they took over. (hopefully there’s some slow progress) By stark contrast, this ANA op is first class. It’s good to have both to chose from. If I was an Astar guy, I would definitely want ANA to be included in a merger with ABX. It would raise your career expectations too.

Hopefully ANA won’t get split off. I found it interesting that Joe went as far to say that rumors of the Holding company being linked to Astar’s overture are unfounded. He must be reading this forum!:laugh:

Finally, as was mentioned earlier, over in Asia there’s a feel somehow that this whole thing could get tied together down the road. So why split it up now?

 

[abxdx]

what about all the other flying? You know we do have long term contracts with areomexpress,florida west,BWIA, and Air Jamacia. So ANA is not the end all be all... Hell, its only a two year contract. I hope it turns into something big, just trying to play devils advocate...

 

[penguin22]

what about all the other flying? You know we do have long term contracts with areomexpress,florida west,BWIA, and Air Jamacia. So ANA is not the end all be all... Hell, its only a two year contract. I hope it turns into something big, just trying to play devils advocate...

I'm just hoping we can keep it all together!

 

[shooter]

what about all the other flying? You know we do have long term contracts with areomexpress,florida west,BWIA, and Air Jamacia. So ANA is not the end all be all... Hell, its only a two year contract. I hope it turns into something big, just trying to play devils advocate...

top notch! This is the coup de grace to the buy out right here guys. If Goldman, Sachs & Co. sees this income there is NO WAY they will let ABX go for less than $15-$20 per share. There is SO MUCH MONEY to be made in the adhoc stuff ASTAR and DHL will be climbing a ladder of cash to get the potential ABX has. Too many players that WANT ABX lift to give it away to ASTAR. Its all money fellas and how much does DHL want to put out for what others demand? Looks like DHL backed the wrong horse in the 49% interest.

 

[abxaviator]

However , I assure you that we are committed to keeping you informed about any developments, as often and as quickly as we can. I can tell you that rumors about a link between the overture from ASTAR and the possibility of Abx Air forming a new holding company structure for ABX Air are unfounded.

My interpretation of this is that ABX Air did not form the holding company a couple of months ago with the intent of selling off most of the company to Astar. The Astar offer was a surprise to them. The holding company was set up for another purpose. (That is my guess...but it was not written clearly.)

The application for the holding company was made several months AFTER Dasburg and Hete had started talks of merging (per D's letter), so while the two actions may not be related, it was most assuredly not a surprise when the letter came last week.

 

[abxaviator]

Finally, as was mentioned earlier, over in Asia there’s a feel somehow that this whole thing could get tied together down the road. So why split it up now?

If this is referring to what I said, allow me to clarify. In no way did I intend to imply any general feeling here about these ops being tied in. We were merely discussing how that might be possible logistically. My personal belief is that the catalyst for the merger is the 767F's and that DHL wants those airplanes flying yellow freight, that would leave ANA out.

 

[inplaneview]

I have heard from two different sources that ABX has hired a Chief Operating Officer. If that is the case, it seems unlikely that we would accept Astar's offer. Sounds to me like we're ramping up to go in a different direction.

 

[fodc8]

ABX Air announced today the creation of the position of Chief Operating Officer. It has hired John Graber, an industry veteran, to fill the post. The new position is designed to best position ABX Air to move forward strategically.


"During 2007 ABX Air will lose three key executives through retirements and John will provide the added expertise to ensure our continued success both short and long term," said Joe Hete, President and CEO. In his new role John will report to the CEO and have direct responsibility for Flight Operations, Maintenance and Engineering and Ground Services.

Graber, an industry veteran with over two decades of civil and military operational experience comes to ABX Air from AAR Corporation, where he was the President and General Manager of Aircraft Services Indianapolis - one of the largest MROs (Maintenance Repair Organization) in the nation. Prior to that, Graber was the Senior Vice President of Operations and General Manager of the Military and Charter businesses at ATA Airlines. His experience includes over 10,000 hours of flight time as a pilot. He has flown as a check airman, served as a chief pilot, and is a decorated combat veteran of Desert Storm. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.


"John Graber brings a strong record of international operational excellence to us.” Hete said. "He led one of the largest international charter airlines at ATA. He was the senior operational leader on the team that successfully guided ATA through some difficult times. We’re looking forward to having his business skills, experience and energy working for ABX Air.”

The Cleansing has begun........

 

[two(2)%]

The Cleansing has begun........

Of what? Executives?

 

[Cargoav8or]

Looks like DHL backed the wrong horse in the 49% interest.[/quote]

Why control only 25%, when you can control 100% through the DHL hand puppet, The Daz. If they're bent on purchasing ABX I'm sure it will happen.

 

[shooter]

Why control only 25%, when you can control 100% through the DHL hand puppet, The Daz. If they're bent on purchasing ABX I'm sure it will happen.

short of letting the DOT, UPS and FedEx know, of course.

 

[abxnightrider]

ABX can take a plunge really quick if DHL wants them too, Dont think ABX is invincible, no acmi carrier is

 

[shooter]

ABX can take a plunge really quick if DHL wants them too, Dont think ABX is invincible, no acmi carrier is

oh yes, I agree. At the same time, however, where will DHL get a fleet of 90 overnight? I think DHL will hurt more. Or hands for the sort, for that matter. I don't put it past Joe to hold one over their head for the other.

 

[shooter]

Okay, here’s what has been tickling my brain and I appreciate all responses……..

I do not belong to "that other forum" site. I usually only lurk and tried to sign up but shooter was already taken so I said to heck with it to respond and ask some questions. Below is the whole thing as it was posted yesterday.

Ultra... "If" this deal actually happens and its not just a shell game, you wont end up on the bottom of the list... that just wont happen. Like someone mentioned earlier anything said at the moment is pure speculation. I do know the ALPA guys requested a copy of the ABX seniority list about 6 weeks ago and the request has gone unanswered, I think the request was made again recently and no answer the second time either.

Is it normal for other airlines to request seniority lists of other independent carriers? If not, why was ALPA requesting the list from ABX almost 2 months before any intent for merger was announced? Did ALPA already know and did not let their possibly future co-workers know? This whole thing is starting to stink to high heaven if that is the case. Someone please help me understand just what the heck ASTAR is trying to do here and why ABX is being left out in the dark.

 

[hvydriver]

Okay, here’s what has been tickling my brain and I appreciate all responses……..

Is it normal for other airlines to request seniority lists of other independent carriers? If not, why was ALPA requesting the list from ABX almost 2 months before any intent for merger was announced? Did ALPA already know and did not let their possibly future co-workers know? This whole thing is starting to stink to high heaven if that is the case. Someone please help me understand just what the heck ASTAR is trying to do here and why ABX is being left out in the dark.

Shooter,

There's no grassy knoll shooter. Sorry, I couldn't resist. We learned about Dasburg's offer at the same time you guys did through the press release. We've offered to trade seniority lists off and on with the 1224 leadership since the buyout/spinoff of both our companies. We felt that it would be a good idea to have both sides merger committees as far downrange as possible since merger rumors have always been rampant since 2003. As far as I know, the 1224 has never taken us up on the offer to this day. Our list is updated and ready for trading. Is yours? (No digs intended.)

 

[Clipperskip]

exchange of list

Shooter,

There's no grassy knoll shooter. Sorry, I couldn't resist. We learned about Dasburg's offer at the same time you guys did through the press release. We've offered to trade seniority lists off and on with the 1224 leadership since the buyout/spinoff of both our companies. We felt that it would be a good idea to have both sides merger committees as far downrange as possible since merger rumors have always been rampant since 2003. As far as I know, the 1224 has never taken us up on the offer to this day. Our list is updated and ready for trading. Is yours? (No digs intended.)

Dear Heavy,

Although I do not speak for our E-Board, I am sure that they will take every opportunity to meet the Astar Pilot Union Reps in the middle. Perhaps the previous requests for seniority lists came at a busy time with our contract negotiations and all. I know that you guys have changed Union Reps in the recent past so perhaps it might take some time to reestablish the working relationship we had with your previous representatives. I have heard that you guys have retained your attorney for the potential list merger and we have as well. Both are excellent attorneys who should be able to work toward a mutual agreement long before we all retire. IMHO these seniority lists could be one of the least painful mergers to have ever take place in the history of airline buyouts. Especially if we ever see any growth in the near future. However, that remains to be seen.

 

[b707guy]

Just an observer in all this, but wouldn't 1224 be losing more than it's shirt if a merger took place? Which Union would be the winner in all this? I'd bet 1224 is wishing we had gone with them in 2000 instead of with 747. Either way, a well handled merger (ie NOT TWA/AA), if it were to happen, is always great for some, miserable for others, and hopefully "ok" for most. Good luck!