America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - Now the US has a chance to own a share of America West

Airline Agrees to Offer U.S. a Stake for Aid (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22809-2001Dec10.html)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">America West Airlines Inc. has agreed to give the federal government a potential stake in the company to win government approval of $400 million in loan guarantees -- a move that could set the pattern for other airlines seeking federal bailout funds...........................................Am erica West was struggling before the Sept. 11 attacks. As a result of the hijackings, it has had trouble raising any money, according to the airline. The airline's cash reserve has been fast dwindling, at a rate of $1 million to $2 million a day, according to Parker, causing some analysts to predict the airline could go under by the end of the year without federal aid.</font>

But America West was one of he few airlines which could increase its load factor - even if its just by 0,5 % to 70%- but it is improving - even under the current situation
in my opinion America West Airlies is a fine airline which offers a good product for good money.

The question i would like to know is what you guys think about a cooperation of America West and Alaska ? - THis dua would be a real great west coast partners - they allready share some partners - North West, Continental and British Airways ? - so why not work together - there are a few routes with overlp but this would just strengehtn teh partners

wirth best wishes and regards
max



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What do you think about it?

America West had record load factors last summer, but was still losing money.

Load factor means nothing if they're just filling the planes with low yield passengers.

They still have to pay for the planes that were taken out of service after Sept. 11.

Many airlines if not most have full airplanes when they file BK. TW had great load factors then, so did Pan Am. These bleeders do anything to fill their seats at the expense of other airlines trying to make financial ends meet. For the short term, it's great to be a customer because you are being subsidized. But it's one thing for shareholders to subsidize a losing operation, and it's another thing for the US government to do it.