Feb 14, 2013, 9:50 am
Last edit by: JDiver
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST
The AA - US merger was approved by AMR creditors and the boards of directors of both airlines on 13 Feb 2013, and announced the 14th.
There is no further speculation about whether the merger will occur; all that is pending is approval from the bankruptcy court and the regulatory authorities.
American Airlines and US Airways approve merger: just the facts, please outlines the facts we know;
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement Discussion (consolidated) is the thread for discussion of the announced merger.
The AA - US merger was approved by AMR creditors and the boards of directors of both airlines on 13 Feb 2013, and announced the 14th.
There is no further speculation about whether the merger will occur; all that is pending is approval from the bankruptcy court and the regulatory authorities.
American Airlines and US Airways approve merger: just the facts, please outlines the facts we know;
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement Discussion (consolidated) is the thread for discussion of the announced merger.
ARCHIVE: US LCC & AMR / AA Takeover / merger Rumors and Discussion (consolidated)
Feb 4, 2012, 12:24 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
Actually its stupidity. The message should be AA management is open to combinations that strengthen its position. AA is a premier brand in the aviation world and while we believe we can go it alone, we also understand that there could be opportunities to grow via merger or acquisition. Under my leadership I will always look at all options that secure AA's future for investors, employees and customers.
But right now AA is fighting for it's life. You don't merge in bankruptcy, you get bought out. And then you become part of US's LCC model.
No thanks.
Feb 4, 2012, 12:41 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 529
Feb 4, 2012, 12:53 pm
#19
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,803
Actually I rode US for the first time post merger recently, in F SEA-PHL. I must confess, it wasn't bad at all.
Those comments from Horton are, in a word, dumb. He's in no position to burn bridges, even if it is Doug he's talking about.
Those comments from Horton are, in a word, dumb. He's in no position to burn bridges, even if it is Doug he's talking about.
Feb 4, 2012, 12:56 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: US Airways Silver
Posts: 128
I hope it doesn't occur as a US Elite, the hub mismatch is one huge issue, the focus on domestic versus international another. It will be exceedingly difficult to get these new pilots and FAs onboard as the post-merger integration is still an issue (ask a US flier what East-West is). Picking up the European, Asian and LatAm routes would be nice, but not nice enough to justify purchasing AA. It would make a lot more sense for US to simply try and acquire the routes they want like was done by various carriers before when rivals when bankrupt. That and they might consider acquiring any jets and gates that they want. Having worked in M&A the chance of post-merger success is small.
Feb 4, 2012, 1:18 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
I mean at least he could say, "We would like to merge with our key JV partner IAG as soon as we can convince the government on the benefits of allowing majority shareholding by foreign entities."
BA has had three key U.S. partners - first was their Marketing Marriage with UA, followed by their investment in US and then AA, which they seriously considered ditching at one point for CO.
If AA can't right its ship why wouldn't BA look for more stable alternatives? I think Horton and crew perhaps take for granted that BA/IAG will always be there unless A) they are a strong, profitable carrier or B) they are in fact part of IAG.
BA has had three key U.S. partners - first was their Marketing Marriage with UA, followed by their investment in US and then AA, which they seriously considered ditching at one point for CO.
If AA can't right its ship why wouldn't BA look for more stable alternatives? I think Horton and crew perhaps take for granted that BA/IAG will always be there unless A) they are a strong, profitable carrier or B) they are in fact part of IAG.
"AMR Corp (AAMRQ).’s American Airlines plans to exit bankruptcy as a stand-alone carrier and would consider making acquisitions afterward, Chief Executive Officer Tom Horton said. "
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...ut-merger.html
Feb 4, 2012, 1:22 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2010
Location: jfk
Programs: AA- exp 8.2MM, SQ, DL, spg plat
Posts: 284
I hope it doesn't occur as a US Elite, the hub mismatch is one huge issue, the focus on domestic versus international another. It will be exceedingly difficult to get these new pilots and FAs onboard as the post-merger integration is still an issue (ask a US flier what East-West is). Picking up the European, Asian and LatAm routes would be nice, but not nice enough to justify purchasing AA. It would make a lot more sense for US to simply try and acquire the routes they want like was done by various carriers before when rivals when bankrupt. That and they might consider acquiring any jets and gates that they want. Having worked in M&A the chance of post-merger success is small.
IF AA can pull it off and come out of it, there is really nothing to gain from an alliance with US and the issues that you outlined above may wind up sinking both of them!!
In my humble opinion, you don't have to be #1 - you have to be the best and put out a product that people are willing to buy!!
Can AA do that?? Anyone's guess...
Feb 4, 2012, 1:39 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
AA has indeed said that.
"AMR Corp (AAMRQ).’s American Airlines plans to exit bankruptcy as a stand-alone carrier and would consider making acquisitions afterward, Chief Executive Officer Tom Horton said. "
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...ut-merger.html
"Henry Harteveldt, an aviation analyst with the Atmosphere Group, called Horton's remarks "unnecessarily arrogant." But he did say that American is serious about not merging.
"Mr. Horton and his team absolutely want to see American remain independent. American doesn't want to be asked to dance," Harteveldt said."
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...#storylink=cpy
Feb 4, 2012, 1:43 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
Horton is dead on the mark. I applaud what he said. Everyone who is bagging on him are asking him to be like Arpey. You want a serious leader? There you go. He has said in no uncertain terms "This is what we are going to do, and this is how we are going to do it." For all you people that pine for Crandall, well, that's exactly what he would have said being handed a bankrupt airline.
Feb 4, 2012, 2:01 pm
#26
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Horton is dead on the mark. I applaud what he said. Everyone who is bagging on him are asking him to be like Arpey. You want a serious leader? There you go. He has said in no uncertain terms "This is what we are going to do, and this is how we are going to do it." For all you people that pine for Crandall, well, that's exactly what he would have said being handed a bankrupt airline.
Crandall and Arpey/Horton IMO have little in common at least so far. I do think if Crandall had ever taken AA to Chap 11 he would have gone to a $1 salary - just as a show of solidarity - did Horton do that?
Anyway, nothing very innovative that has come out - no two-tier labor structure, no innovative twists of frequent flier programs, no innovative flying plans, no innovative ancillary revenue strategies, at least so far.
Feb 4, 2012, 2:03 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
The attitude has change. Arpey is a mild mannered wall flower. Horton is a confident go getter.
Feb 4, 2012, 2:16 pm
#28
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
While he may be "fired up" according to the Dallas Morning News blog, I'm not sure the 1 in 7 employees who will be going or the 6 in 7 who will be staying are quite as pumped up.
Feb 4, 2012, 2:18 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
Agreed on that. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to have anything new to say and certainly he has done nothing that would engender support from the troops.
While he may be "fired up" according to the Dallas Morning News blog, I'm not sure the 1 in 7 employees who will be going or the 6 in 7 who will be staying are quite as pumped up.
While he may be "fired up" according to the Dallas Morning News blog, I'm not sure the 1 in 7 employees who will be going or the 6 in 7 who will be staying are quite as pumped up.