Yeah I think there is 1.1B+ in cash, but an approximate 200m bond due in the summer. It was going to be tight were it not for Lufthansa's investment, but now even with 105-110 oil the end of the year will most likely be a manageable loss (50-100m) taking the balance sheet back to where it was before the LH investment, but without the impending 200m note.
Going anywhere, I mean anywhere, right now is a huge risk. As is staying anywhere. Obviously seniority can cushion the risk and minimize or emilinate the damage, but the number one pilot at an airline that folds is still on the street. That said, JB is in an OK position right now. I guess it depends on where you are now, how far up that list you are, where you live/want to live, etc.
Many of JB's core weaknesses bave been or are being addressed right now as well. Screwed up ramp ops (which has actually gotten better of late) will become seamless with the new terminal opening up. 26 gates and no alleyways, and one of the fastest and simple baggage systems of any terminal that size.
Route structure is already 12-14% international, and although its primarily liesure international, Air Lingus code share (not really a traditional code share, but results are the same) now and a Lufthansa code share soon, will help to fill out a huge hole currently in the route structure.
Emphasis on connecting dots versus adding 16 cities a year, and better fare/yield management. Someone finally kicked the crappy marketing department in the jimmies (or whoever was responsibile for marketing and its budget) and a true nationwide campaign will kick off soon.
#1 domestic carrier out of NYC, the world/s biggest domestic O&D market. #1 out of Boston, a high travel market with a high percentage of (per capita) upper middle class pax.
Rolling the dice with a huge MCO expansion, but not just for tourists but also untapped/underserved O&D opportunities, plus international connections down the road.
Taking advantage of a limited window of oportunity (1 or 2 more years) to reduce or stop growth on the 320 by selling older airframes. This yields a small 2-4m profit, avoids a multimillion dollar heavy check, and replaces it with a new plane thats under warranty and a lease/debt terms similar to the ones that were sold in the first place. Again, the opportunity to do so is limited. Airbus is ramping up 320 production by 20% and as that market segment fills out and more used 320's hit the market JB won't be able to count on that anymore. I think that's why 2010-2011 deliveries were mostly pushed back til 2012-2013. At that point its cheaper to defer than it is to sell.
But like I said, it all depends on where you are now, now senior you are, where you live/want to live, etc. Good luck rolling the dice in this crazy career we call aviation.
