AWA/USair done deal!!

[amcnd]

http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=163980

 

[Iflyamouse]

You beat me to it!

I wanted to be the first one to post it ... get to work you slacker!

 

[meatwallet]

The companies have also agreed that the merged company will be the launch customer for the Airbus A350, with deliveries scheduled from 2011 to 2013.

http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=163980

 

[lowecur]

Nothing of Great Surprise

Except for the immediate name change to US Airways. Integration will be a 2 to 3 year process to be worked out between the two carriers work groups......that should be interesting. Air Canada's involvement is mx at first, but eventually code sharing. Sounds like the feeder a/c should remain intact, except AW will probably replace Mesa on the U routes. PIT and LAS will be secondary hubs. PIT is surprising, as I really thought they would draw it down to pure O&D. Lots of details to be released, but I have a feeling the change in route structure will evolve gradually with little notice to competing carriers. With the reduction of 60 737s, there should be some gate space at PHL. The flts to Hawaii will definitely initiate a dog fight with SWA/ATA.

All in all, it should be interesting with the large amount of new capital. DL and UAL are on the hot seat now, and it's my feeling one of them is going to have to liquidate unless more sugardaddy's want to put their chips down.

 

[Hansoma]

Hey Mav, what's the name of that truck driving school we saw last night! Truck Masters I think it was? We might need that.

 

[General Lee]

I'm glad YOU FEEL THAT EITHER DL OR UAL WILL HAVE TO LIQUIDATE. I ALSO THINK YOU SHOULD GET BACK TO SELLING SOME MORE GEICO CAR INSURANCE. This USAir/AWA merger was not on your scope a few months back, and WHAM, it happened. There are a lot of things going on in the background, things that the mighty Lowecur is not privy to. Grinstein said today that there was some sort of merger possibility with DL and some other carrier, but of course he could not talk about it to great extent. Maybe you know the details, Lowecur? I'm waiting.



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[PositiveRate]

" US Airways projects returning 25 additional aircraft by the end of 2006, in addition to the 46 aircraft that US Airways already has announced it plans to return. Nearly all of the aircraft are being returned to General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The combined airline also will take delivery of 13 Airbus A320 family aircraft previously ordered by America West Airlines. Airbus has also agreed to reschedule and reconfirm 30 narrow body A320-family aircraft deliveries from 2006 - 2008 to 2009 - 2010. To rationalize international flying, the merged company will work with Airbus to transition to an all-Airbus international fleet of A330 aircraft and, beginning in 2011, A350 aircraft. "

This answers my question as to whether AWA would take the remaining Airbus deliveries.

Anyone have any thoughts or insights on 71 a/c going away at usair? 46 planned, 25 more with the merger announcement?

This is going to be a crazy couple years to say the least.

 

[USMC319]

I have a bad feeling about this one...Mav. I hope it works out for everyone's sake, but it will have to be an epic effort in order to succeed.

 

[TWA Dude]

So AWA will become USAirways, so be it. But I'd sure hate to lose our "cactus" callsign. You can't beat two syllables!

 

[Flying Freddie]

Going to be lots of unhappy pilots. Wish them all the best.

 

[RUhiring?]

Speaking from the US Airways side, there aren't any happy pilots to start with.

 

[DLslug]

AWA name going away...that too bad!

I think its a shame and (and a mistake) to lose the America West name. AWA is a good name and airline and I think should have been the name to keep.

Good luck to all.

All for now,

DL slug

 

[Juniority]

Well, we know from events of the last few years that a pilot group being happy or unhappy doesn't actually get airline management's g i v e - a - s h i t meter off the peg.

Apparently, at this point in United States airline history, airline management teams feel they can do just about anything they want to pilot groups. Work rules erosion, concessions, more concessions, even more concessions, furloughs, lost pensions.... Oh, there may be a bit of wailing and a few empty threats of actions but the pilots will sooner or later (usually sooner) bend over and take it. "Just lucky to have a job at all anymore " is the song we all sing.

 

[xanderman]

well...

Let me just say that this whole thing is way beyond my pay grade... Here's hoping for no furlough. So having said that, I look forward to working with all of the U folks and sincerely hope that we can build the best airline flying. On behalf of the AWA folks... Welcome!

Andy

 

[mamba20]

Xanderman, thats a great post! I think things will be on the up and up for both (now 1) carriers, but then again I tend to go against the grain of this board. . . I'm an optimist.

 

[I.P. Freley]

I can't believe this actually happened... Figured it was just another flightinfo fantasy!

 

[lowecur]

I'm glad YOU FEEL THAT EITHER DL OR UAL WILL HAVE TO LIQUIDATE. I ALSO THINK YOU SHOULD GET BACK TO SELLING SOME MORE GEICO CAR INSURANCE. This USAir/AWA merger was not on your scope a few months back, and WHAM, it happened. There are a lot of things going on in the background, things that the mighty Lowecur is not privy to. Grinstein said today that there was some sort of merger possibility with DL and some other carrier, but of course he could not talk about it to great extent. Maybe you know the details, Lowecur? I'm waiting.



Bye Bye--General Lee

As a matter of fact Gerry and I were shatting together just the other day. He was having a very difficult time with hemhorroids, and did say that the K-Y you gave him the night before was very helpful.

Now to the subject. I have only predicted that one merger is a possibility and that was AMR/UAL. Could DL or UAL find partners? Sure, anything is possible, but the deal will have to be very synergistic from an Investment Banker point of view. Oil needs to come down to around $40 per barrell and stay there. The only way I see that happening is a global downturn. Let's face it GL, there just isn't a major carrier today that could swing any kind of deal without some kind of major investment from the outside.

It's a game of musical chairs and it looks like UAIR/AWA have got a seat for the long term. Backing a deal like UAIR/AWA makes a lot of sense to investors as they now have a head start on establishing themselves. UAL is poorly run, and DL just hasn't moved fast enough to right the ship. Time is critical, and the next group to hook up together just may eliminate who's ever left.

 

[General Lee]

As a matter of fact Gerry and I were shatting together just the other day. He was having a very difficult time with hemhorroids, and did say that the K-Y you gave him the night before was very helpful.

Now to the subject. I have only predicted that one merger is a possibility and that was AMR/UAL. Could DL or UAL find partners? Sure, anything is possible, but the deal will have to be very synergistic from an Investment Banker point of view. Oil needs to come down to around $40 per barrell and stay there. The only was I see that happening is a global downturn. Let's face it GL, there just isn't a major carrier today that could swing any kind of deal without some kind of major investment from the outside.

It's a game of musical chairs and it looks like UAIR/AWA have got a seat for the long term. Backing a deal like UAIR/AWA makes a lot of sense to investors as they now have a head start on establishing themselves. UAL is poorly run, and DL just hasn't moved fast enough to right the ship. Time is critical, and the next group to hook up together just may eliminate who's ever left.

I know it would be difficult. That is what investment bankers are for, to do the impossible. I think DL has some major problems that need to be fixed first, like some debt issues and the pension payments. That will be handled. As far as the rest of the airline, we are doing well in our initiatives---and should have $5 or $6 billion trimmed from the budget by the end of 2006---each year in savings. How? Good question. But, Gerry is telling us that is what is happening, and he also handles mergers, did it before, probably will do it again. We only have one union, making it easier to direct what will happen. UAL has union hurdles to say the least. You're right about being late with the cuts over here, but they are in place. As far as gas goes, Gerry now said $45 is the break even with the last fare increase in place. Oil is down, and may hover in the lower 40's. The Saudis just said they feel $40 is "acceptable" to them, but OPEC may not agree. We shall see.


Bye Bye--General Lee