VX to buy F9 fleet?
#1
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VX to buy F9 fleet?
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/st...0/daily23.html
Huh. That might save some cash on the expansion. I bet they'd want F9's mechanics, too- they're really sharp, from what I hear.
Virgin America Inc., billionaire Richard Branson's airline, may be interested in buying Frontier Airlines' Airbus fleet if Southwest Airlines succeeds in its bid for the Denver carrier, according to a news report Tuesday.
Virgin America CEO David Cush told Bloomberg News in an interview that his airline, which flies Airbus planes, may be interested in the 40 Airbus jets owned by Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc.
Virgin America CEO David Cush told Bloomberg News in an interview that his airline, which flies Airbus planes, may be interested in the 40 Airbus jets owned by Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc.
#2
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Something tells me that Southwest will likely not attempt to sell Frontier's planes to Virgin America, domestic competitor. More likely, they'll want to sell to a foreign operator like Easyjet. Why would they want more domestic capacity in the system when they can just as easily get rid of it to another part of the world. Southwest competes directly with Virgin America on four routes so why would they want to strengthen a competitor? Perhaps if VX offered Southwest a better deal than someone, Southwest would consider it.
Frankly, I don't really think VX is in any position for major acquisitions. Their cash position is low and they don't really have much collateral as a significant of their fleet is leased. Maybe they'll buy a couple planes but certainly not the entire fleet. Eight A318's, four A319's, two A320's and 5 Q400's are owned, likely with a balance still owed. The rest are all leased. That's taken from their May 2009 10-K. Although their cash position is, six aircraft (A319's & A320's) seem more manageable than the entire fleet. Perhaps that's what Cush meant.
Frankly, I don't really think VX is in any position for major acquisitions. Their cash position is low and they don't really have much collateral as a significant of their fleet is leased. Maybe they'll buy a couple planes but certainly not the entire fleet. Eight A318's, four A319's, two A320's and 5 Q400's are owned, likely with a balance still owed. The rest are all leased. That's taken from their May 2009 10-K. Although their cash position is, six aircraft (A319's & A320's) seem more manageable than the entire fleet. Perhaps that's what Cush meant.
Last edited by MrPresident1776; Aug 11, 2009 at 4:22 pm Reason: Correction
#3
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Virgin America to buy Frontier Airlines’ Airbus fleet - report
Virgin America reportedly plans to buy Frontier Airlines’ Airbus fleet of 40 aircraft, if Southwest Airlines succeeds with the acquisition of Frontier (San Francisco Business Times, 11-Aug-09).
#4
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Frankly, I don't really think VX is in any position for major acquisitions. Their cash position is low and they don't really have much collateral as a significant of their fleet is leased. Maybe they'll buy a couple planes but certainly not the entire fleet.
Eight A318's, four A319's, two A320's and 5 Q400's are owned, likely with a balance still owed.
The thing is right now, the VX fleet is pretty taped out if they want to add destinations. They will want to add planes at some point. F9's planes might be a lower-cost way to do that than other ways.
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Something tells me that Southwest will likely not attempt to sell Frontier's planes to Virgin America, domestic competitor
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Well, WN REALLY won't have a say in it, since Republic won the bid. Looks like they will be building a major out of DEN and MIL to go with their regional operations...