Alaska buying ATA planes?

[ImbracableCrunk]

I had a jumpseater with a rumor that Alaska is buying 8 ATA 737-800s.

I don't know much about ATA's status - good luck, guys and gals - but I think Alaska would like to replace the Mad Dogs that are going away.

Anyone care to make matching wild speculation?

 

[Mamma]

can Alaska even afford a 737 hubcap right now?

Of course they can. They just can't afford to pay respectable pilot wages.

 

[regionaltard]

can Alaska even afford a 737 hubcap right now?

ALK Net Tangible Assets: (in 1,000)

Dec. 07 $1,012,200

Dec. 06 $885,500

Dec. 05 $742,100

 

[Old School 737]

About 2 years ago there was a "Deal" in the works to take the 800's and give SWA some of our 700's. It was to happen with the purchase of the the 800 sim we got from ATA, but for some reason it did not work out. Now who knows? Sounds like a good deal to me if we can get ATA 800's, they are already ETOPs ready to go. Don't have the SFP package though.
We will see.

 

[QCappy]

can Alaska even afford a 737 hubcap right now?

From:http://biz.yahoo.com/e/080222/alk8-k.html

"As of January 31, 2008, Air Group cash and short-term investments totaled approximately $915 million."

I think that could buy more than one hub cap.

 

[On Your Six]

From:http://biz.yahoo.com/e/080222/alk8-k.html

"As of January 31, 2008, Air Group cash and short-term investments totaled approximately $915 million."

I think that could buy more than one hub cap.

And what was the price of oil on Jan 31st?

 

[gt1900]

Doesn't matter as much to Alaska since they are well hedged....

 

[ReverseSensing]

I think that could buy more than one hub cap.

I think they need to up your per diem. There's no way you're making ends meet. :beer:

 

[Green Banana]

ALK down more than 18% today, OUCH.

Pulled the trigger on that stock buyback a little early did we?

 

[Freight Dog]

Oil broke $110. Most airline stocks tanked today.

So Alaska joined the rumor mill about ATA's -800's... cool!

 

[AQ PILOT]

I'm pretty sure I know who may have started that rumor... did this happen to be on a CUN-SEA run?

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

I'm pretty sure I know who may have started that rumor... did this happen to be on a CUN-SEA run?

Nope ANC-SEA. Does this mean we have independent confirmation?

 

[fly4surf]

Big announcement time???

 

[Old School 737]

Hear we go again!!!

RELEASE March 13, 2008


ALASKA AIR GROUP ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

SEATTLE — Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today announced that its board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the company to purchase up to $50 million of its common stock. The new program follows the completion on Feb. 29, 2008, of a program to repurchase $100 million of the company’s outstanding stock. Under the program just completed, the company repurchased 4,113,782 shares, or 10 percent of the outstanding stock at the start of the program, at an average price of $24.31 per share.
“The board of directors is confident in Alaska Air Group’s future business prospects and financial position. Accordingly, we believe that continuing our stock repurchase program will allow us to enhance shareholder value while providing us with the flexibility to continue investing in long-term strategic opportunities,” said Bill Ayer, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Alaska intends to finance the repurchases with cash on hand. The repurchase program authorizes the company to purchase its common stock from time to time, through open market purchases, negotiated transactions or other means, including accelerated share repurchases and 10b5-1 trading plans in accordance with applicable securities laws.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include the statements concerning our confidence in the company’s future business prospects and financial position, our belief that the repurchase program will allow us to enhance shareholder value while providing flexibility to continue investing in long-term strategic opportunities, and our intent to finance the repurchases with cash on hand. For a comprehensive discussion of potential risk factors, see Item~1A of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007. Some of these risks include increased competition, significant fuel costs, general economic conditions, labor costs and relations, our significant indebtedness, inability to meet cost reduction goals, terrorist attacks, seasonal fluctuations in our financial results, an aircraft accident, laws and regulations, and government fees and taxes. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. These risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform them to actual results. Over time, out actual results, performance or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences might be significant and materially adverse.

Alaska Air Group is the holding company for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, which together serve 92 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

ALK down more than 18% today, OUCH.

Pulled the trigger on that stock buyback a little early did we?

 

[AQ PILOT]

That would be independent confirmation for sure ;0)

I wonder what is really gonna happen!