Republic Airways Announced as Winning Bidder in Auction of Frontier Airlines

[Minimaniac]

No idea how things will end upfor Frontier guys and gals at Republic, but here are some parts of the plan as stated by Bedford upon his initial bid:

- He wants to operate F9 separate from RAH (the reality is F9 pilots will end up integrated after a hotly contested arbitration, but F9 pilots will likely get fences put around the Airbus, thus keeping some separation)

- He wants to extend the current F9 labor contract for three more years. (this means that F9 pilots will keep their pay for a while, by which time RAH should have a new contract that, with help from the F9 pilots and YX pilots, will help keep good pay for the Airbus, and get the 190 up to levels that are not insultingly low)

- He has no set plan for Lynx (probably business as usual for the Lynx guys, since those routes provide valuable feed to F9 and help distinguish F9 from SW and UA in Denver)

- He wants unlimited scope relief from the F9 pilots regarding the E190 (He wants to sell SOME of the Airbii, and replace thinner routes with the E190. Also, future expansion will come in the form of the 190, and be flown on the Republic certificate, not the F9 certificate. F9 pilots will be forced to transition over, based on the seniority integration, to other RAH aircraft as the sold Airbii go away)

I am sure the Midwest/Frontier codeshare will remain, as it is really just Bedford selling tickets on his own aircraft, regardless of which brand people buy. I do think that the long term plan is to put an end to the Midwest name, and assimilate Midwest operations into Frontier ops. This codeshare is just the first step, where Midwest passengers have the opportunity to become familiar with the frontier product if they connect onto Frontier. It will probably take a couple years to complete, but there are huge cost savings in only running one fare-charging airline compared to two.

 

[atlcrjdriver]

When are the contracts w/ DL and UAL up for renewal? I can't imagine them being happy paying the competition especially in DEN.

 

[Captain Morgan]

The way I see it, the codeshare partners are happy because they have an ally blocking access and future large growth from SWA and doing further damage. I believe at this point, the airlines are playing a chess game to close out the LLCs from various markets. Who knows what these CEOs are doing. For all we know, they could be all sitting around at a country club smoking cigars and masterminding all this while we fight and bicker between ourselves.

 

[dougdrvr]

The way I see it, the codeshare partners are happy because they have an ally blocking access and future large growth from SWA and doing further damage. I believe at this point, the airlines are playing a chess game to close out the LLCs from various markets. Who knows what these CEOs are doing. For all we know, they could be all sitting around at a country club smoking cigars and masterminding all this while we fight and bicker between ourselves.

Yes, a quote from Bedford " It's kinda fun to watch"

 

[COOPERVANE]

They are playing chess........We are playing checkers....

 

[JoeMerchant]

They are playing chess........We are playing checkers....

...and have been for years...

 

[buscap]

Forget chess!!

Keep your checkers!!!

I'm playing with myself!!!

 

[relief tube]

MMMMM...I see alot of insults about RAH all over the forums. Have to admit, Bedford beat WN, he had the ace up his sleeve, $150 million loan, which is denied WN further access into DEN, allows a great airline and great group of employees to live on.

WN....when will you learn,, you went after US when it was struggling in PHL, and lost. And now DEN

uhh....live on? If you wouldn't rather be at the bottom half of a WN list, then being run by a thrifty regional, you're crazy.

 

[crashpad]

This is the way of the future...better get used to it. RAH is the new WN and in 5 years everyone will be trying to get on board.