ual selling more stuff
from yahoo airline news.....
Reuters
United seeks to sell stakes in Orbitz, Hotwire
Wednesday October 15, 5:13 pm ET
CHICAGO, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The parent of bankrupt United Airlines is seeking court permission to sell part of its stakes in online travel companies Orbitz and Hotwire, the company said in court documents.
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UAL Corp. (OTC BB:UALAQ.OB - News), parent of the No. 2 U.S. airline that has been operating in bankruptcy since last December, said the sale of part of its 26-percent stake in Orbitz would raise $26 million to $52 million. Orbitz, which was founded by five major U.S. airlines, has plans to go public in November or December.
The airline said it expects proceeds of $85 million from the sale of its 16.5 million Hotwire shares to media mogul Barry Diller's InterActiveCorp (NasdaqNM:IACI - News). IAC is acquiring Hotwire for $665 million.
United said it would put the proceeds from the two sales toward paying off its revolving credit line and term loan under its bankruptcy financing package. A United spokesman said the sales would help the carrier reorganize more quickly and efficiently.
A bankruptcy court judge is due to consider the issue at an Oct. 24 court hearing.
UAL said it does not expect its ownership interest in Orbitz to drop below 17 percent, leaving its remaining stake worth between $176 million and $258 million.
Orbitz and Hotwire allow travelers to purchase airline tickets and make reservations for hotels and rental cars on their Web sites.