October 23 Airline News
A Daily Look at the Airline Industry and the Nation’s Top Seven U.S. Airlines
Prepared by Chip Munn – Courtesy of www.chipsplace.com
ACA Board of Directors Decides Not to Pursue Mesa's Expression of Interest
Board Believes Current Strategy Provides a Better Value Proposition for ACA Stockholders
DULLES (PRNewswire-FirstCall) - Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. ("ACA") today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously reaffirmed the Company's strategy to establish a new, independent low-fare airline and decided not to pursue Mesa Air Group Inc.'s expression of interest to acquire all outstanding shares of ACA. In making its determination, the Board noted that, among other things, Mesa's expression of interest is highly conditional and subject to due diligence.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031023/nyth112_1.html
Atlantic Coast Airlines Pilots Reach Tentative Agreement, Applaud Company's Plan to Launch Independent Carrier
Atlantic Coast Airlines is one of the leading operators of regional jets in the U.S., with more than 1,600 pilots and a current fleet of 142 aircraft, including 112 regional jets
DULLES (PRNewswire) - Atlantic Coast Airlines and the union representing its pilots have reached a tentative agreement that, pending union ratification, would provide the airline the tools it needs to proceed with its plan for developing a new, independent carrier.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031023/dcth011_1.html
Atlantic Coast sees revenue $1.2 bln after change
Company expects to be profitable within 12 months of operation under its new low-cost strategy
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Atlantic Coast Airlines Inc. said on Thursday it expects to have $1.2 billion in revenue and operating income of $120 million when it transforms itself into an independent, low-cost airline.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/031023/airlines_atlanticcoast_outlook_1.html
Atlantic Coast Says United May Be Involved In Mesa Offer
United spokesman denied that United has had any role in Mesa's buyout offer
CHICAGO (Dow Jones) - Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc. believes that UAL Corp.'s United Airlines may be playing a behind-the-scenes role in Mesa Air Group Inc.’s proposed buyout offer.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/031023/1259001470_2.html
Statement From United Airlines
United will explore all the alternatives for providing United Express operations out of Dulles
CHICAGO (PRNewswire-FirstCall) - United Airlines today issued the following statement:
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031023/cgth077_1.html
Atlantic Coast's Rejection Of Mesa Buyout Not A Surprise
Analyst calls Atlantic Coast's strategy "risky" and subject to a number of pressures
CHICAGO (Dow Jones) - Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc.'s rejection of Mesa Air Group Inc.'s buyout offer didn't take Wall Street by surprise Thursday, as many expected Atlantic Coast to stick to its guns regarding the formation of a new, low-cost airline.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/031023/1259001472_2.html
Mesa/Atlantic: Mesa Says Its Offer The Better Choice
Mesa surprised that they're so unequivocally committed to the independent strategy
CHICAGO (Dow Jones) - Mesa Air Group Inc. will continue to pursue its buyout bid for Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc., even after Atlantic Coast's board on Thursday rejected the proposal.
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/031023/1344001531_2.html
Board Vows to Continue Effort to Become Low-Fare Carrier
WASHINGTON (Post) - Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc. yesterday rebuffed Mesa Air Group Inc.'s buyout offer and said it intends to stick to its plan to become a low-cost, low-fare airline.
Complete Story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9479-2003Oct23.htmlCindrich inclined to deny request by US Airways
Cindrich may decide on motion as early as this morning
PITTSBURGH (Post-Gazette) - A federal judge yesterday said he was initially inclined to deny US Airways’request that he stay an order that favored the machinists union in a subcontracing dispute.
Complete Story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03297/233783.stm
Airline injunction likely stays
Attorney: "The injunction constitutes a no-win situation for the airline and the union"
PITTSBURGH (Tribune-Review) - U.S. District Judge Robert Cindrich said Thursday that he is not inclined to lift his earlier injunction that stops US Airways from performing heavy maintenance work for 10 of the airline's Airbus jets in Alabama.
Complete Story: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_161619.html
Project Roam Launches Web Site for Prospective Employees
Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey's office starts receiving about employment opportunities at the airline
PITTSBURGH (PRNewswire) - Travis Tanner, president and CEO of Project Roam -- the working name for a new, low-fare airline that plans to locate its hub and headquarters in Pittsburgh -- today announced that persons interested in employment opportunities with the airline can submit their names, contact information and area of interest to the airline for its consideration at www.projectroam.net .
Complete Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031023/clth066_1.html
US Airways Tidbits
Completion Streak
ARLINGTON (theHub.com) - US Airways continues to speed ahead of its own record for 100 percent completion days this year, having logged its fourth zero cancellation day of the month yesterday, and the twelfth for the year. US Airways yesterday also recorded an 88.4 percent S:14 on-time arrival performance. "These statistics illustrate the continued dedication of our frontline employees. Their hard work and planning really make a positive difference in our performance results. Congratulations to everyone involved," said Managing Director Operations Control and Planning Bob Maloney. Last year at this time, US Airways had recorded nine zero-cancellation days and had a total of 17 for the year.
Flight Path Change
ARLINGTON (theHub.com) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to dramatically increase the number of high-altitude flight paths available, which will result in decreased flight delays by allowing jets to fly more efficiently, according to a report in USA Today. The changes will nearly double the number of jets that can pass through a congested area by allowing aircraft to fly within 1,000 feet of each other at high altitudes versus the current 2,000 foot requirement for jets flying between 29,000 feet and 41,000 feet. USA Today reports that FAA aviation experts estimate that airlines will save $5.3 billion in fuel through 2016 under the new flight rules, which will start in January 2005.
Atlantic Coast Update
ARLINGTON (theHub.com) - Atlantic Coast Airlines and its pilot’s union have agreed to a new contract provision that would increase pilot pay if the airline was acquired, according to the Washington Post. The tentative agreement was seen by some industry insiders as a defense measure to make the company less attractive to Mesa Air Group, which has mounted a hostile takeover bid for Dulles-based Atlantic Coast, according to the Post. On July 28, ACA announced plans to establish a new, independent low-fare airline to be based at Washington Dulles. ACA currently operates as United Express and Delta Connection.
ALPA MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - October 23, 2003
This is Jack Stephan with a US Airways MEC update for Thursday, October 23rd, with three new items.
Item 1. The fifth and final day of the arbitration of MEC grievance 03-04-07, Improper Administration of Sick Leave Policy, took place Tuesday in Arlington, VA.
Legal briefs on this grievance should be submitted to the arbitrator within 30 days following receipt by both parties of the completed court transcription of the testimony. The arbitrator will then attempt to render his decision approximately 30 days after the briefs are submitted.
Item 2. As we previously reported, US Airways stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol "UAIR." The "USALA.OB" designation for over-the-counter activity will no longer be used. Employees with accounts at E*Trade should reference the new symbol when accessing their accounts.
Be aware that because of this change, all open orders have been cancelled. If you have open orders, you will have to place new orders using the new UAIR designation, and participants with recent activity are encouraged to confirm the status of their orders.
Item 3. US Airways has announced vacancies in Flight Training for Contract Instructor Pilots on the A320, A330, B-737 and B-757 fleets. The positions are open to furloughed or medically disabled pilots on the US Airways pilot seniority list. In general, minimum qualifications require a type rating and minimum time-in-type requirements, previous instructor experience, excellent verbal and communication skills, and no active violations pending or unsatisfactory/incomplete evaluations in the previous three years, as well as dependability and flexibility. The preferred qualifications include a four-year degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent management experience, and previous US Airways check airmen or instructor pilot experience. These positions will be located either in Pittsburgh or Charlotte, depending upon fleet type.
Potential candidates should go to the usairways.com website, click on "About US Airways," then select "Careers" for specific information, eligibility requirements and application procedures. These positions will close on Monday, November 3.
Siegel To Address Aero Club Of Washington
WASHINGTON (Aviation Daily) - US Airways CEO David Siegel will be the featured speaker at the next luncheon meeting of the Aero Club of Washington. The lunch will start at 12 noon on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Capitol Hilton hotel in Washington.