Southwest submits proposal to acquire Frontier Airlines

[iflyhigh72]

Just got the word. Ill submit proof later. Anyone who has the info please feel free to attach. We'll be bidding on Frontier on Aug 11

 

[Slug]

From SWALife me thinks.

Southwest Airlines Submits Nonbinding Proposal to Acquire Frontier Airlines

On Thursday, July 30, Southwest Airlines submitted a nonbinding proposal to acquire Frontier Airlines in accordance with the bidding procedures in the bankruptcy court. We view this as an exciting opportunity for the Employees and Customers of both Southwest and Frontier. It represents an opportunity for Southwest to grow our Denver Customers; grow our revenues; and grow our profits. We must caution, however, that this is merely a preliminary step in the bidding process.

We must submit a binding proposal by August 10. If there is more than one qualified investor, and at this time Republic Airways has also submitted a bid, an auction will be held beginning August 11. Frontier will determine, in consultation with the unsecured creditors committee, which bid to accept and present to the bankruptcy court for approval.

Although our plans may vary as we work our way through this process, we wanted to share with you our present plan as we envision it. Frontier would continue to operate independently and separately for a period of time with its Airbus aircraft and personnel. We do not intend to integrate the Airbus into our Boeing 737 fleet. As we are able to retire Airbus aircraft, we will add Boeing 737 aircraft. Over time, Frontier Employees would be hired into Southwest as needed to support our fleet growth and expanded operations. There are many details to be worked through, but we are confident that the effort will be worthwhile. We are also confident that our bid, if successful, will boost low-fare competition and benefit consumers in Denver and other cities our expanded network will serve.

Even if our bid is accepted and approved by the bankruptcy court, our closing on this transaction will be subject to several contingencies. These will include the negotiation of acceptable labor agreements dealing with the interim period of separate operation and seniority; and the appropriate regulatory review. Absent the negotiation of these labor agreements, we will not go forward with this transaction. However, we are confident that the benefits of such a transaction for Employees of both Southwest and Frontier will become self-evident and that we will be able to obtain such agreements.

We hope that you are as excited as we are about the possibilities inherent in this opportunity. Stay tuned!

 

[Quiet Flight]

Staple them. First!!!! Maybe USAPA can help us work this all out...

 

[Tanker Clown]

Looks like if you're in the hiring pool, that your wait just got extended a few years.

 

[Schwanker]

Sounds like a "merger of equals!" Relative seniority as all equipment is super-duper-premium flying!!!

 

[ChinaClipper]

Glad someone was gentlemanly enough to wait til the THIRD post before the Swingline comment came out....

 

[texman]

Well if it goes through, hope everybody keeps thier job. I am at the bottom here at SWA. I wouldn't wish anybody and thier family to be on the street. Denver base here we come!

 

[jtf]

I sure hope SWA wins the bid over Republic- too much racing for the bottom lately. I would have to think even a worst case staple at SouthWest would be preferable to the Republic option for pretty much every employee group at F9. Good luck guys and girls of F9 whatever happens.

 

[Splert]

What was that sound? The pool being flushed.

Bummer...

BTW I'm in the pool. For now.

 

[HalinTexas]

Dumb move.

 

[ChinaClipper]

If your an F9 employee, the priority is....Who got 1-2-3??

1.2.3 makes its sweet, not being bought by RAH is even, better, did I mention 1-2-3????.....What's not to like? BTW I hope this doesn't turn out like ATA...1-2-3, may get renegotiated in the typical F9'er gets ahold of it.....

 

[bravodude]

the best thing everyone at SWA and Frontier can do is the log off flightinfo and just relax.
let the unions work this out. I don't think anyone will end up on the street.
But since we are pilots and we can't sit still does anyone know what the retirement dates are for the airplanes.

 

[shagadelic]

JTF, I agree. The deal says all the labor groups have to agree or the deals off. I hope the F9 guys understand that. I'm more than happy to have them join the list in an amicable way though. Welcome aboard.

 

[PropPiedmont]

I say a reverse seniority integration would be best. Take the furloughed Frontier pilots and make them captains at SWA.

 

[Gulf-front]

Good luck F9 crews! I'd rather roll the dice with SWA for sure.

 

[HalinTexas]

I change my mind. Smart move. Just like with ATA. SWA is keeping some better funded competition out of a key market, a la AWA and Airtran out of MDW. They gain market share in a primary airport, DEN. They downsize it, pull it out of directly competitive routes, spin it off with some inept management controlled by Mattlin-Patterson, let it die in Chapter 7 then buy the slots for a song. To top it off, they make money on the deal! Just like ATA.

F9 pilots. Learn from history! Save your money, too.

 

[arjayeffo]

Ummm...

Based on previous SWA purchases, I am sending this from my car on the way to empty the KY shelves at Walgreens. Republic offer looking better somehow...

 

[Porch]

Good luck F9 crews! I'd rather roll the dice with SWA for sure.

I agree! That's the best news I've heard in a long time. I'm sure hoping that it's beneficial for everyone & it seems to be awesome on the surface. At this point the F9'ers have to take anything to keep it alive. WN... It's like a dream come true. In this volatile environment, I hope everyone keeps their jobs. As a F9'er, I am super excited about this. I have a lot of WN buddies and its a place I'd love to work... & I've tried, LOL... Nothin like slippin in the back door. I'd gratefully accept and be as good employee as I am here. I'm sure I speak for most. F9 is a great group of pilots, some of the best dudes I've worked with in my career. If things work out, I'm sure the WN pilots will be happy with what you see. Cheers & I wish the best out of this for everyone involved!

 

[krewmeel]

UAL might as well close DEN hub today....if this goes through they have no chance making it in DEN with their cost structure. It will be BWI all over again...

 

[HalinTexas]

Frontier Pilot's Assoc. is gonna get creamed. Get ready to pony up a big 'ole assessment.