Air Canada involved with UAIR/AWA merger

[lowecur]

Looks like Air Canada will p/u the international flying for UAIR. My guess is they are probably purchasing the routes and gates out of PHL and CLT, and will code share with the new holding company. The UAIR we see today will probably be significantly smaller if the merger goes through. Look for Doug Parker to keep only the route structure for UAIR that is profitable with significant shrinkage at PIT, CLT, and PHL. Since Mr. Parker would like an all Airbus fleet, this may open up the 737s for SWA if a deal can be worked out for additional gates at PHL. It's my guess JBLU may be interested in the Shuttle gates and Slots if they can pick them up reasonably. This is from an article in Canada:

Milton also said during a conference call that the airline never sought from Boeing any assurances that parts and equipment would be made in Canada. He also didn't dismiss speculation brewing on Wall Street that Air Canada may be involved in coming months in a merger, possibly with regional airline America West Airlines, which has confirmed merger talks with U.S. Airways.


A Wall Street source said yesterday that Air Canada may be in talks with both U.S. Airways and America West in a deal that may see Air Canada take on international traffic with the U.S. Airways-America West concern handling domestic U.S. traffic

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1114465810614&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

 

[TWA Dude]

Since Mr. Parker would like an all Airbus fleet, ...

You didn't post a source for that statement so I assume you're making it up. Parker has said twice in my presence that he doesn't want a single aircraft supplier because he gets better deals by playing them against each other. Last week he said our 737s have about another five years of usefulness left so replacements have to be considered soon.

 

[lowecur]

While DP was on the johnny in his Tempe restroom, I had a janitor secretly record him muttering about the fact that Airbus will be their choice for fleet commonality.

Now back to reality. Take a look at the fleet growth at AWA in that size a/c, then look at the commonality with a UAIR merger. It makes absolutely no sense at all to stick with the 737 for that size a/c. Now also consider that the major sugardaddy in this deal is GECAS and their lease agreements with both carriers on the Airbus'. DP will let GECAS do all the negotiations on any aircraft in the future. He will have no choice.

 

[TWA Dude]

If Boeing makes him an offer he can't refuse he'll have a choice. You're still being presumptuous. IF this USAir thing happens THEN maybe he'll have a harder choice to make. Until then I see no point in speculating (exept to get a rise out of people which isn't my habit).

 

[xanderman]

But...!

But I thought those international routes were profitable? Why wouldn't Doogie want those?

 

[Fly-n-hi]

Doug Parker has never said that he would like an all Airbus fleet.

 

[BeCareful!]

Doug Parker has never said that he would like an all Airbus fleet.

This simply can't be true. I read that he did on the Internet!

 

[lowecur]

Doug Parker has never said that he would like an all Airbus fleet.

Yeah, that's why he's having dinner with the chief of Airbus, and took him to a Suns playoff game.

Friendly rivalry



Airbus and Boeing may be rivals in the air, but the aircraft makers peacefully and playfully coexisted at this week's aviation symposium in Phoenix.

Boeing Executive Vice President Nicole Piasecki took time at a reception they were hosting at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa to toast the maiden test flight of Airbus' mammoth new A380 that day.

The rivalry was the source of plenty of jokes from laugh-a-minute Henri Courpron, CEO of Airbus North America Holdings.

In a drawing for a model of the A380, Courpron pulled the winning ticket out of a bowl and said the last three numbers are "787." Those are the numbers of Boeing's new Dreamliner jet, not the real winning number.

Courpron ducked out of the conference Wednesday night to go to a Phoenix Suns playoff game with America West CEO Doug Parker and Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr. On Thursday night, he hosted them at his table at the closing dinner of the conference. Might the airline's merger talks with US Airways have been on the menu? Both airlines fly Airbus jets.




http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0430buzz-bizbuzz30.html