First Southwest, Now Airtran Onboard

[ralphcramden]

In a series of very interesting posts on USAviation.com's Delta Air Lines message board, Mr. ralphcramden broke the news on that forum ( http://www.usaviation.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32150 )that several other airlines were preparing to bid on certain assets of the struggling, Hapeville-based carrier.

As secretly told to Mr. ralphcramden by two highly connected New York-based investment bankers, the management teams of both LCC and DAL were expecting Southwest, AirTran, United, and possibly others to enter the process.

LCC management welcomes this development as a way to "downsize" DAL while simultaneously countering potential anti-trust and political objections. Most important of all, these bids will sweeten the pot in a way that will have the stakeholders clamoring for approval. This places DAL in danger of losing control of the process, which is always a potential outcome when a company enters bankruptcy protection. ( A concept first reported on this forum by Mr. ralphcramden here: http://www.usaviation.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32092 )



Mr.ralphcramden comments:

A merger between the Tempe and Hapeville based carriers is in the best interest of both carriers and their employees. A bidding war in bankruptcy court is a worst case scenario for DAL's non-management personnel.

When would now be a good time for WorldTraveler to put the interests of DAL's loyal frontline troops above those of the self-interested Hapeville management team? :huh:

Regards,

ralphcramden

 

[careerfurloughee]

Hey Ralph,

Have you ever "experienced a furlough" ?

 

[SKY HIGH]

AirTran CEO: US Air takeover of Delta would be 'very good' for us
Add AirTran Airways to the list of low-cost carriers that would be interested in making a bid for at least some of the assets that would be shed by a merged US Airways/Delta. Southwest –- the USA's biggest discounter -– has already expressed such an interest. As for AirTran, it "would consider buying jettisoned shuttle operations as a way to gain access to gates at New York's LaGuardia International Airport and Washington's Reagan National Airport," writes The Wall Street Journal (subscription required). That tidbit comes from a Journal interview of AirTran CEO Joe Leonard, who also tells the paper that he thinks it would be "very good" for his airline if US Airways was successful in its takeover bid for Delta. But, despite AirTran's interest in buying shuttle assets, Leonard says AirTran has not interest in running its own shuttle along the East Coast. "The shuttle ... used to make money, but it doesn't anymore," Leonard says. Presumably, his interest instead would be the highly coveted gates and landing slots at the restricted Washington and New York airports.


only stating opinions

 

[AstroLounge]

Highly doubt anyone will get their hands on one of the Shuttles other than AA.....maybe UA (if US/UA part company) or even Continental. Shuttle is a critical piece missing in a very high profile American Airlines portfolio. They know it, they want it and God forBID anyone who gets in their way. The notion of airTran wanting the assets and the slots but NOT operating a Shuttle on their own will NEVER fly with the regulators or the High profile government officials that utilize the Shuttle either.

 

[Dog Wonder]

A feeding frenzy on the rotting carcass of DL would be great entertainment for the rest of the industry.

 

[USFlyer]

The notion of airTran wanting the assets and the slots but NOT operating a Shuttle on their own will NEVER fly with the regulators or the High profile government officials that utilize the Shuttle either.

FWIW, there is nothing that restricts either the current US or current DL from using their Shuttle slots for non-Shuttle flights. US could today start service to several new cities from DCA and LGA and jettison the Shuttle routes.

 

[JayBrian]

FWIW, there is nothing that restricts either the current US or current DL from using their Shuttle slots for non-Shuttle flights. US could today start service to several new cities from DCA and LGA and jettison the Shuttle routes.

Maybe the shuttle could be extended to new cities or add JFK into the loop to connect DL transatlantic passengers to DCA/PHL/BOS etc.

 

[Travelpro72]

I thougth it was funny that in an article Airtran said that they had no interest in running a shuttle if they were to gain gates/slots. They claimed the shuttle was NOT a money maker. I found that interesting and rather unbelievable.

 

[luv2fly]

A feeding frenzy on the rotting carcass of DL would be great entertainment for the rest of the industry.

Too bad you will never see it huh?

 

[dariencc]

Highly doubt anyone will get their hands on one of the Shuttles other than AA.....maybe UA (if US/UA part company) or even Continental. Shuttle is a critical piece missing in a very high profile American Airlines portfolio. They know it, they want it and God forBID anyone who gets in their way. The notion of airTran wanting the assets and the slots but NOT operating a Shuttle on their own will NEVER fly with the regulators or the High profile government officials that utilize the Shuttle either.

If this deal goes through I think AA would outbid anyone for the shuttle. They would pay whatever it took.