ATA may sell scheduled Pax service

[T-Bird76]

Well WN has stated they may want to acquire another airline...perhaps this is what they were talking about.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /801300418 (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/BUSINESS/801300418)

[MarkLawrence]

Interesting - I wonder if they would only sell the 738's or if something else is involved as well - if they were going to sell the 752's or 753's, wouldn't WN's policy of one type put a stop to the purchase?

[Alex T]

Me thinks ATA is doing this to build up cash for their intl flying for Southwest Airlines in 2009.

Pilots suggest Southwest Airlines or Aloha Airlines might buy ATA for its lucrative West Coast-to-Hawaii routes, although Forsyth said he could not disclose whether any sale talks are under way.

Can we agree Pilots are not exactly the best source of information? It was WN Pilots themselves who claimed we were going to buy Delta and take over ATL :roll: :roll:

Though to be honest WHAT exactly does WN or any airline need to buy? This was pointed out at a.net also, these west coast routes are not slotted there is no route authority, anyone can fly anything. All an airline gains is aircrafts and employees.

Be interesting to see where this goes. I have not heard anything internally, and won't, WN mgmt are very tight lipped when it comes to these type of situations.

Alex

[PhilDernerJr]

I don't think you'll see anything drastic or very exciting coming out of this.

[mirrodie]

Like a new ride on an L-1011?! :shock:

[PhilDernerJr]

I was somewhat surprised to hear they were dumping the L-1011s. 3 of the 4 just came out of heavy checks which make them ok to fly for 5 years. I guess the other costs associated with them are not worth it even for charter work (where many costs are covered).