indubbiamente. Anche se sembra che American si stia rinnovando interamente di recente (avete visto il TR sul volo per San Paolo?)
American Airlines e Us Airways verso la fusione
- Autore Discussione MikeAlphaTango
- Data d'inizio
indubbiamente. Anche se sembra che American si stia rinnovando interamente di recente (avete visto il TR sul volo per San Paolo?)
Ricevuta stamattina da American Airlines (in sintesi confermano il marchio American Airlines e l'alleanza OneWorld per il nuovo gruppo):
Dear XXXXX,
AAdvantage® Number: XXXX
Today is a historic day as American Airlines and US Airways announce plans to create the new American Airlines. Together, we will create a premier global carrier with an expanded worldwide network, a strong financial foundation, a modern and efficient fleet, and the industry's best team of people who will offer an unparalleled travel experience for our customers.
Over the past few months, we conducted a thorough review of alternatives to strengthen American for the future and determined that this combination delivers the most value for our stakeholders and the best outcome for our customers and people. As a combined carrier – the new American – we will have an expanded network to even better match where customers want to fly and enhanced ability to invest in our fleet, modern technologies, and the products and services our customers value most.
We've been making progress toward building a new American – from transforming our fleet with the largest aircraft order in history, to modernizing the travel experience, and refreshing our iconic brand. This merger is our next step in the process of building the leading global airline.
American and US Airways combine two highly complementary networks with access to the best destinations throughout the U.S. and around the globe. Together we will offer our customers more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries by maintaining all the hubs currently served by both airlines.
When the new American arrives, we will provide more options than any other airline across the East Coast and Central U.S. regions, and expand and further strengthen our network on the West Coast. The combined airline will add to our reach across the Atlantic and Pacific and bolster American's industry-leading position in Latin America and the Caribbean. We'll also enhance our existing loyalty program benefits through expanded opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the combined network.
The new American will continue to give customers options for travel and benefits both domestically and internationally through continued membership in the oneworld® Alliance. As they do today, our oneworld Alliance partners will offer access to a range of destinations, airline choices, and earning and redemption opportunities.
At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and you can continue to count on American for excellent service and safe, reliable travel. We expect the merger to be completed in the third quarter of 2013 and will keep you updated. I invite you to visit www.aa.com/arriving to keep up with our progress.
Both American and US Airways are distinguished by our proud histories and look forward to our bright future as we build the world's leading airline.
Thank you for your continued loyalty, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon!
Sincerely,
Thomas W. Horton
Chairman & CEO
Dear XXXXX,
AAdvantage® Number: XXXX
Today is a historic day as American Airlines and US Airways announce plans to create the new American Airlines. Together, we will create a premier global carrier with an expanded worldwide network, a strong financial foundation, a modern and efficient fleet, and the industry's best team of people who will offer an unparalleled travel experience for our customers.
Over the past few months, we conducted a thorough review of alternatives to strengthen American for the future and determined that this combination delivers the most value for our stakeholders and the best outcome for our customers and people. As a combined carrier – the new American – we will have an expanded network to even better match where customers want to fly and enhanced ability to invest in our fleet, modern technologies, and the products and services our customers value most.
We've been making progress toward building a new American – from transforming our fleet with the largest aircraft order in history, to modernizing the travel experience, and refreshing our iconic brand. This merger is our next step in the process of building the leading global airline.
American and US Airways combine two highly complementary networks with access to the best destinations throughout the U.S. and around the globe. Together we will offer our customers more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries by maintaining all the hubs currently served by both airlines.
When the new American arrives, we will provide more options than any other airline across the East Coast and Central U.S. regions, and expand and further strengthen our network on the West Coast. The combined airline will add to our reach across the Atlantic and Pacific and bolster American's industry-leading position in Latin America and the Caribbean. We'll also enhance our existing loyalty program benefits through expanded opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the combined network.
The new American will continue to give customers options for travel and benefits both domestically and internationally through continued membership in the oneworld® Alliance. As they do today, our oneworld Alliance partners will offer access to a range of destinations, airline choices, and earning and redemption opportunities.
At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and you can continue to count on American for excellent service and safe, reliable travel. We expect the merger to be completed in the third quarter of 2013 and will keep you updated. I invite you to visit www.aa.com/arriving to keep up with our progress.
Both American and US Airways are distinguished by our proud histories and look forward to our bright future as we build the world's leading airline.
Thank you for your continued loyalty, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon!
Sincerely,
Thomas W. Horton
Chairman & CEO
DAL WSJ
MR, US Airways Announce Merger
By SUSAN CAREY And MIKE SPECTOR
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. AAMRQ +49.23% and US Airways Group Inc. LCC -7.03% approved a merger to create the world's largest airline.
The companies said Thursday they aim to complete the combination by the end of September, an ambitious schedule given the integration issues in other airline mergers. They targeted more than $1 billion in annual cost savings and other efficiencies by 2015, and expect roughly $40 billion in revenue each year.
WSJ's Mike Spector has details on the American Airlines/US Airways merger that creates the world's largest airline, valued at $11 billion. Photo: Getty Images.
The planned merger between US Airways and AMR presents an opportunity for investing in airlines stocks, but which ones? Barron's Sam Mamudi joins Markets Hub.
The proposed deal would leave three large U.S. network carriers facing off against low-cost airlines that have driven change across the industry.
US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker will run the combined company, called American Airlines Group Inc., as CEO. AMR chief Tom Horton will serve as nonexecutive board chairman until the new company's first annual meeting next year.
AMR's creditors will own 72% of the company and leave some of that for existing shareholders. US Airways shareholders will own 28%.
AMR creditors will appoint five directors to the airline's new board; AMR, three, including Mr. Horton; and US Airways, four, including Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker will become chairman when Mr. Horton departs the company.
The new airline—which will have a market value of about $11 billion—will retain the American Airlines brand, aircraft paint design and headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. But the plan represents a victory for US Airways' Mr. Parker, one of the most vociferous proponents for industry consolidation.
The chief executives said in a joint interview that they anticipate smooth sailing in their new roles, given their 25-year friendship.
Mr. Horton said Mr. Parker "will have traditional CEO duties in running the company." Mr. Horton will take on the normal functions of running the board as nonexecutive chairman. "I won't be bashful with my input," Mr. Horton said. "Neither will Doug. I think we'll work well together."
Mr. Parker said Mr. Horton was "kind enough" to stay on to help him with the transition, taking AMR out of bankruptcy protection, through antitrust scrutiny and into integration planning.
"It is helpful to me for Tom to stay around and help with the transition," Mr. Parker said. He added, however, that it is "extremely important that the company sees one leader eventually."
The two executives, both 51 years old, started their airline careers at American's finance department in the mid-1980s and stayed in touch, even though Mr. Parker left soon after and worked at other carriers.
Mr. Horton said there could be some job cuts as the new airline rationalizes management ranks. "We'll go about right sizing," he said.
The men said choices about top executives will be made jointly. "There are fantastic teams on both sides," Mr. Parker said. The two airlines have roughly 100,000 employees world-wide.
A bonus Mr. Horton will receive for leading AMR's restructuring was expected to be disclosed later Thursday, Mr. Horton said.
If the merger is approved by the bankruptcy judge overseeing AMR's restructuring and receives antitrust clearance from the U.S. Justice Departmentand other regulators, the new American would vault over United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL -2.35% and Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL -4.23% in traffic. The marriage, on the heels of two other big industry mergers since 2008, would leave three large U.S. network airlines, mirroring consolidation that has occurred in Europe.
The companies filed paperwork with the Justice Department to begin the antitrust clearance process Jan. 31. Messrs. Horton and Parker said during an investor call Thursday that they don't expect any roadblocks from regulators because only 12 of their 900 routes overlap. Mr. Horton said he didn't expect the airlines to have to adjust their routes further to win approval from regulators.
During a bankruptcy-court hearing Thursday, Stephen Karotkin, a bankruptcy lawyer for American, said the airline expects to file a motion seeking approval of the merger by the end of next week and appear for a hearing on the deal in the second half of March.
The deal could fully repay AMR's creditors, with interest, and carves out a 3.5% ownership stake for existing shareholders. Those shareholders could reap additional financial recoveries once the new airline's market value repays creditors.
Such a recovery is unusual in bankruptcies, where shareholders usually get wiped out. Jack Butler, a lawyer for AMR's official creditors committee, said his clients supported the merger and said the airline's existing shareholders could see between $350 million and $400 million in financial recoveries from the outset.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane approved AMR's request to extend until April 15 the exclusive time period during which only the company can propose a reorganization plan to take the company out of Chapter 11 protection.
US Airways' Mr. Parker prevailed in persuading AMR to merge over Mr. Horton's initial resistance. Mr. Horton for months emphasized a desire to restructure first and consider mergers only after emerging from bankruptcy protection.
American Airlines Reborn
See an animation of airline mergers since the 1980s, a timeline of the developments in this merger, and an interactive map of the hubs for the combined airline.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. and US Airways Group Thursday announced that their boards have approved a merger that would create the world's largest airline.
But Mr. Parker built momentum for a deal by winning over American's three labor unions and other AMR creditors who came to believe that the combination made more sense than AMR's stand-alone plan. A group of AMR bondholders—including J.P. Morgan Securities, JPM +0.88% Pentwater Capital Management LP and Litespeed Management LLC—threw their support behind the merger within the past month or so.
Some people close to Mr. Horton said his publicly stated objections to a deal amounted to brinkmanship. Last April, US Airways proposed a plan that gave 49.9% of the combined company to AMR creditors, along with some new debt but left US Airways in control.
"There was a little poker playing going on in the process," Mr. Horton said Thursday. "Once we got to the point where we had our house in order and could make a deal on the right terms, I think it clearly made sense for us, and made sense for US Airways."
US Airways will move into the Oneworld marketing alliance that American already leads. Mr. Parker said his company notified the rival Star Alliance group Thursday of the carrier's intention to leave that consortium.
The companies said they planned to take delivery of 600 new jets, reflecting an order made by American almost two years ago, and planned to retain their in-house commuter-airline units.
The CEOs stressed that the enlarged American will continue to maintain all eight domestic hubs and operate 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. Of the 336 destinations the pair serve, 62 US Airways cities aren't served by American, and 130 American cities aren't served by US Airways, Mr. Parker said. There is no overlap on international routes, he said, and US Airways' offering to Europe will nearly double the merged airline's destinations there. US Airways' strong East Coast network also will shore up the part of American's domestic route map that "wasn't particularly strong," he said.
Before they fully merge their fleets, American and US Airways will begin code-sharing, the practice of selling one airline's flights to passengers as if they were operated by the other airline. But that process won't begin until after the deal closes and has antitrust approval. The two intend to keep all eight of their domestic hubs.
AMR was advised by law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and investment bank Rothschild, among others.
US Airways was advised by law firm Latham & Watkins and investment firms Barclays BARC.LN -2.15% PLC and Millstein & Co.
AMR's official creditors committee was counseled by law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and investment bank Moelis & Co. Some AMR bondholders received advice from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Houlihan Lokey.
—Doug Cameron and Joseph Checkler contributed to this article.
Write to Susan Carey at susan.carey@wsj.com and Mike Spector at mike.spector@wsj.com
MR, US Airways Announce Merger
By SUSAN CAREY And MIKE SPECTOR
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. AAMRQ +49.23% and US Airways Group Inc. LCC -7.03% approved a merger to create the world's largest airline.
The companies said Thursday they aim to complete the combination by the end of September, an ambitious schedule given the integration issues in other airline mergers. They targeted more than $1 billion in annual cost savings and other efficiencies by 2015, and expect roughly $40 billion in revenue each year.
WSJ's Mike Spector has details on the American Airlines/US Airways merger that creates the world's largest airline, valued at $11 billion. Photo: Getty Images.
The planned merger between US Airways and AMR presents an opportunity for investing in airlines stocks, but which ones? Barron's Sam Mamudi joins Markets Hub.
The proposed deal would leave three large U.S. network carriers facing off against low-cost airlines that have driven change across the industry.
US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker will run the combined company, called American Airlines Group Inc., as CEO. AMR chief Tom Horton will serve as nonexecutive board chairman until the new company's first annual meeting next year.
AMR's creditors will own 72% of the company and leave some of that for existing shareholders. US Airways shareholders will own 28%.
AMR creditors will appoint five directors to the airline's new board; AMR, three, including Mr. Horton; and US Airways, four, including Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker will become chairman when Mr. Horton departs the company.
The new airline—which will have a market value of about $11 billion—will retain the American Airlines brand, aircraft paint design and headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. But the plan represents a victory for US Airways' Mr. Parker, one of the most vociferous proponents for industry consolidation.
The chief executives said in a joint interview that they anticipate smooth sailing in their new roles, given their 25-year friendship.
Mr. Horton said Mr. Parker "will have traditional CEO duties in running the company." Mr. Horton will take on the normal functions of running the board as nonexecutive chairman. "I won't be bashful with my input," Mr. Horton said. "Neither will Doug. I think we'll work well together."
Mr. Parker said Mr. Horton was "kind enough" to stay on to help him with the transition, taking AMR out of bankruptcy protection, through antitrust scrutiny and into integration planning.
"It is helpful to me for Tom to stay around and help with the transition," Mr. Parker said. He added, however, that it is "extremely important that the company sees one leader eventually."
The two executives, both 51 years old, started their airline careers at American's finance department in the mid-1980s and stayed in touch, even though Mr. Parker left soon after and worked at other carriers.
Mr. Horton said there could be some job cuts as the new airline rationalizes management ranks. "We'll go about right sizing," he said.
The men said choices about top executives will be made jointly. "There are fantastic teams on both sides," Mr. Parker said. The two airlines have roughly 100,000 employees world-wide.
A bonus Mr. Horton will receive for leading AMR's restructuring was expected to be disclosed later Thursday, Mr. Horton said.
If the merger is approved by the bankruptcy judge overseeing AMR's restructuring and receives antitrust clearance from the U.S. Justice Departmentand other regulators, the new American would vault over United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL -2.35% and Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL -4.23% in traffic. The marriage, on the heels of two other big industry mergers since 2008, would leave three large U.S. network airlines, mirroring consolidation that has occurred in Europe.
The companies filed paperwork with the Justice Department to begin the antitrust clearance process Jan. 31. Messrs. Horton and Parker said during an investor call Thursday that they don't expect any roadblocks from regulators because only 12 of their 900 routes overlap. Mr. Horton said he didn't expect the airlines to have to adjust their routes further to win approval from regulators.
During a bankruptcy-court hearing Thursday, Stephen Karotkin, a bankruptcy lawyer for American, said the airline expects to file a motion seeking approval of the merger by the end of next week and appear for a hearing on the deal in the second half of March.
The deal could fully repay AMR's creditors, with interest, and carves out a 3.5% ownership stake for existing shareholders. Those shareholders could reap additional financial recoveries once the new airline's market value repays creditors.
Such a recovery is unusual in bankruptcies, where shareholders usually get wiped out. Jack Butler, a lawyer for AMR's official creditors committee, said his clients supported the merger and said the airline's existing shareholders could see between $350 million and $400 million in financial recoveries from the outset.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane approved AMR's request to extend until April 15 the exclusive time period during which only the company can propose a reorganization plan to take the company out of Chapter 11 protection.
US Airways' Mr. Parker prevailed in persuading AMR to merge over Mr. Horton's initial resistance. Mr. Horton for months emphasized a desire to restructure first and consider mergers only after emerging from bankruptcy protection.
American Airlines Reborn
See an animation of airline mergers since the 1980s, a timeline of the developments in this merger, and an interactive map of the hubs for the combined airline.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. and US Airways Group Thursday announced that their boards have approved a merger that would create the world's largest airline.
But Mr. Parker built momentum for a deal by winning over American's three labor unions and other AMR creditors who came to believe that the combination made more sense than AMR's stand-alone plan. A group of AMR bondholders—including J.P. Morgan Securities, JPM +0.88% Pentwater Capital Management LP and Litespeed Management LLC—threw their support behind the merger within the past month or so.
Some people close to Mr. Horton said his publicly stated objections to a deal amounted to brinkmanship. Last April, US Airways proposed a plan that gave 49.9% of the combined company to AMR creditors, along with some new debt but left US Airways in control.
"There was a little poker playing going on in the process," Mr. Horton said Thursday. "Once we got to the point where we had our house in order and could make a deal on the right terms, I think it clearly made sense for us, and made sense for US Airways."
US Airways will move into the Oneworld marketing alliance that American already leads. Mr. Parker said his company notified the rival Star Alliance group Thursday of the carrier's intention to leave that consortium.
The companies said they planned to take delivery of 600 new jets, reflecting an order made by American almost two years ago, and planned to retain their in-house commuter-airline units.
The CEOs stressed that the enlarged American will continue to maintain all eight domestic hubs and operate 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. Of the 336 destinations the pair serve, 62 US Airways cities aren't served by American, and 130 American cities aren't served by US Airways, Mr. Parker said. There is no overlap on international routes, he said, and US Airways' offering to Europe will nearly double the merged airline's destinations there. US Airways' strong East Coast network also will shore up the part of American's domestic route map that "wasn't particularly strong," he said.
Before they fully merge their fleets, American and US Airways will begin code-sharing, the practice of selling one airline's flights to passengers as if they were operated by the other airline. But that process won't begin until after the deal closes and has antitrust approval. The two intend to keep all eight of their domestic hubs.
AMR was advised by law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and investment bank Rothschild, among others.
US Airways was advised by law firm Latham & Watkins and investment firms Barclays BARC.LN -2.15% PLC and Millstein & Co.
AMR's official creditors committee was counseled by law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and investment bank Moelis & Co. Some AMR bondholders received advice from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Houlihan Lokey.
—Doug Cameron and Joseph Checkler contributed to this article.
Write to Susan Carey at susan.carey@wsj.com and Mike Spector at mike.spector@wsj.com
[h=1]The US-AA merger – what the route map will look like[/h] 51 43 3 15 142
US airline consolidation is complete. Just in case you have been living in cave for the last week, there will be only three US network players by the fall (regulatory clearance is expected in Q3 2013): American, which will marginally become the world’s largest airline, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. In terms of capacity, these three, plus Southwest Airlines will dominate 90% of the domestic seats.
[h=2]60% of seats at 10 airports[/h]Outside of the combined carrier’s 10 recognised hubs and focus airports (in order of size — Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington National, Los Angeles, New York La Guardia and New York JFK), which will represent nearly 60% of the new airline’s weekly seat capacity, a host of second tier airports will be jostling to maintain their based aircraft and gate space with the new American Airlines. At the largest of these airports, Boston Logan, US Airways is the #3 operator (AA is fifth) behind JetBlue Airways and Delta, but the new united carrier will jump to second place with 23% of all seats, and will be more than double the size of United in fourth spot, and four times larger than Southwest.
The standing for the conjoined airline will improve even more markedly at San Francisco, where pre-merger American is in fifth spot (US is 6th), lagging the United hub, Delta, Virgin America and Southwest. After the merger is finalised, American will barge its way into second place, still only one-fifth the size of United, but commanding 10% of all seats from the Californian airport. Looking at low-cost dominated Fort Lauderdale, US Airways held the lowly position of sixth (AA was seventh). However, the merged entity will become the largest network carrier at the Florida airport, but will still trail JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and Southwest.
[h=2]Heathrow #1 international destination[/h]Network overlap is very limited, the two airlines only compete on 12 of their 900 amalgamated routes, which is one reason that many industry observers feel the merger will be viewed far more favourably than when US Airways tried to tie the knot with Delta in 2006. As US Airways is expected to leave the Star Alliance, and the combined carrier will join oneworld, the fact that Heathrow will be the airline’s number one international port-of-call is significant. In the process, new American will become the largest US network airline at the London airport, boasting an additional 3,800 weekly seats than its nearest rival United. The tie-up is also anticipated to see oneworld’s global market share will rise from 26% to 34%.
With one exception, of all the remaining top 12 routes, either American or US Airways was already the leading network airline across all the above destinations, so the fused company will further consolidate its dominance in these markets. It is as Cancun, where it will leapfrog United to become top dog, and at the same time hold a 40% advantage over its rival in terms of seats, and become more than four times bigger than Delta.
[h=2]American to fly to Israel, Netherlands and Belgium (again)[/h]The new company will offer flights to 336 destinations (218 domestic, 118 international) in 56 countries. However, the merger will see American return to Belgium (it cancelled its New York JFK flights on 6 November 2012) and see new operations at both Tel Aviv and Amsterdam, neither of which it currently serves, but US Airways does fly both daily from Philadelphia.
The biggest country market beneficiaries of the deal are Germany, Brazil and Jamaica. While for pre-merger American, Germany is only its 27th largest country market in its portfolio, it is US Airways’ #2, which has pushed the nation up to sixth place when both airlines come together. Roles are reversed when it comes to Brazil, which is only the 16th biggest country market for US Airways, but for its merger partner was rated as third most significant, resulting in Brazil taking the third spot overall. Two country markets now inside the top 12 – namely Venezuela and Japan – were previously not even served by US Airways. Only time will tell whether the regulators will have a significant impact on these markets when they make their recommendations later in the year.
Another tailfin in the trash: US network airline brand US Airways is consigned to the history books, following Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines to leave just three – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
[h=2]60% of seats at 10 airports[/h]Outside of the combined carrier’s 10 recognised hubs and focus airports (in order of size — Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington National, Los Angeles, New York La Guardia and New York JFK), which will represent nearly 60% of the new airline’s weekly seat capacity, a host of second tier airports will be jostling to maintain their based aircraft and gate space with the new American Airlines. At the largest of these airports, Boston Logan, US Airways is the #3 operator (AA is fifth) behind JetBlue Airways and Delta, but the new united carrier will jump to second place with 23% of all seats, and will be more than double the size of United in fourth spot, and four times larger than Southwest.
Source: Innovata Apr 13
[h=2]Heathrow #1 international destination[/h]Network overlap is very limited, the two airlines only compete on 12 of their 900 amalgamated routes, which is one reason that many industry observers feel the merger will be viewed far more favourably than when US Airways tried to tie the knot with Delta in 2006. As US Airways is expected to leave the Star Alliance, and the combined carrier will join oneworld, the fact that Heathrow will be the airline’s number one international port-of-call is significant. In the process, new American will become the largest US network airline at the London airport, boasting an additional 3,800 weekly seats than its nearest rival United. The tie-up is also anticipated to see oneworld’s global market share will rise from 26% to 34%.
Source: Innovata Apr 13
[h=2]American to fly to Israel, Netherlands and Belgium (again)[/h]The new company will offer flights to 336 destinations (218 domestic, 118 international) in 56 countries. However, the merger will see American return to Belgium (it cancelled its New York JFK flights on 6 November 2012) and see new operations at both Tel Aviv and Amsterdam, neither of which it currently serves, but US Airways does fly both daily from Philadelphia.
Source: Innovata Apr 13
In Italia si fa fatica a fondere compagnie che hanno dieci aerei in flotta... e questi arrrivano a 1500! sarebbe interessante capire come verranno ridistribuite le seniority dei dipendenti e le poltrone dei dirigenti.
[h=1]American-US Airways merger: the competitive impact on European carriers[/h][TABLE="class: social"]
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The planned merger of AMR Corp, parent of American Airlines, and US Airways Group will have a small, but noticeable impact on European airlines via their North Atlantic networks. The merged AA-US Air will be the number four ranked airline group on the North Atlantic, an improvement on AA’s current sixth place. In terms of the alliances, if this merger and the Delta-Virgin Atlantic deal both complete, the three global alliances will have divided routes between Europe and North America almost equally between them, with little left for non-aligned carriers.
AA and US Air operate to Europe from different US hubs and there is no city pair route overlap between the two (so competition authorities seem unlikely to worry themselves on the grounds of these operations). However, when looking at overall markets between the US and individual European countries, the merger will have a competitive impact on European carriers’ North Atlantic activities, most notably Iberia and Alitalia, followed by Aer Lingus.
[h=2]AA-US Air will be the number three airline on the North Atlantic[/h]Based on summer 2013 schedule seat capacity data in the Innovata database, American Airlines is currently the number five carrier on the North Atlantic, with a 6.7% share, while US Airways is ranked number nine, with a share of 4.6%. The merger of the two would place the new American Airlines at number three, with 11.3%, only just behind number two United by 1,004 weekly seats (little more than two Boeing 747-400s). Market leader Delta has a share of 13.5% and although it is not merging with eighth placed Virgin Atlantic, the proposed Delta-Virgin JV would control 18.6%, further extending Delta’s lead. The AA-US merger will give all top three places to US carriers, pushing the leading Europeans into the minor places.
Top 20 airlines Europe to North America by seats 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Delta Air Lines |
| 2 | United Airlines |
| AA + US | |
| 3 | British Airways |
| 4 | Lufthansa |
| 5 | American Airlines |
| 6 | Air France |
| 7 | Air Canada |
| 8 | Virgin Atlantic Airways |
| 9 | US Airways |
| 10 | Air Transat |
| 11 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines |
| 12 | SWISS |
| 13 | Turkish Airlines |
| 14 | Alitalia |
| 15 | Iberia |
| 16 | Aer Lingus |
| 17 | airberlin |
| 18 | SAS |
| 19 | Icelandair |
| 20 | Aeroflot |
| Others | |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]248,426
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]209,283
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 208,279
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 11.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]191,076
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]151,100
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 122,767
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 6.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]113,642
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]105,902
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]94,138
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 85,512
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 4.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]81,492
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]44,728
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]34,452
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]31,908
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]29,736
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]28,878
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]28,048
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]27,876
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]26,506
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]26,166
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16,352
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]146,968
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1,844,956
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
[h=2]AA-US Air will be the number four airline group on the North Atlantic[/h]Reassembling this ranking to show the top 10 by airline group, not just by individual operating carrier, AA is currently number six and US Air number nine. The main difference in the top places from our first table is that IAG is second ranked, while BA on its own was third. The merged AA-US Air will be the number four ranked airline group on the North Atlantic.
Top 20 airline groups Europe to North America by seats 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Delta Air Lines |
| 2 | IAG |
| 3 | United Airlines |
| AA + US | |
| 4 | Lufthansa Group |
| 5 | Air France-KLM |
| 6 | American Airlines |
| 7 | Air Canada |
| 8 | Virgin Atlantic Airways |
| 9 | US Airways |
| 10 | Air Transat |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] [/TH]
[TD="align: right"]248,426
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]219,954
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]209,283
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 208,279
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 11.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]198,414
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10.8%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]158,370
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 122,767
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 6.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]105,902
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]94,138
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 85,512
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 4.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]81,492
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.4%
[/TD]
[h=2]An effective three-way split between the global alliances[/h]Our third assembling of seat capacity on the North Atlantic re-groups the data into global airline alliances. Star is the leading North Atlantic alliance, followed by SkyTeam and then oneworld. Assuming not only that the AA-US Air merger goes ahead, but also that Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam following the planned acquisition of 49% of its shares by Delta, the alliance ranking would not change.
However, the gap between the three would narrow, with oneworld increasing its share from 21% to 25% and SkyTeam growing from 25% to 30%, while Star’s share would drop from 38% to 33%. The share held by non-aligned carriers would fall from 17% to just 12%. These two imminent airline deals will leave the North Atlantic as an effective three-way split between the global alliances.
Global airline alliances Europe to North America by seats 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| Alliance |
| Star Alliance |
| Skyteam |
| Oneworld |
| Non-aligned |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] [/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, colspan: 2"]Now
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, colspan: 2"]Post AA-US and Delta-Virgin*
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]Seats
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]% share
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Seats
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]% share
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]701,083
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]38.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]615,571
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]33.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]457,070
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]24.8%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]551,208
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]29.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]379,751
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]465,263
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]25.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]307,052
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]212,914
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,844,956
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 100.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,844,956
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 100.0%
[/TD]
Source: CAPA – Centre for Aviation & Innovata
[h=2]Five European airports are served by both AA and US Air; biggest combined share atManchester and Madrid[/h]There are five European airports that are served by both American Airlines and US Airways – Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester,Paris CDG and Zurich. However, since the pair operate to these airports from different US hubs, there are no city pairs on which the merger will have an immediate competitive impact. Nevertheless, it is interesting to look at the total market capacity from each of these airports to the United States and to determine how the market share of the combined AA-US Air will rank against the main competitors to the US.
European airports served by US Airways and American Airlines 18-Feb-2013 to 24 Feb-2013
| Amsterdam Schiphol | Philadelphia | ||
| Barcelona El Prat | Miami, JFK | ||
| Brussels | Philadelphia | ||
| Dublin | Charlotte, Philadelphia | ||
| Frankfurt | Charlotte, Philadelphia | Frankfurt | DallasFort Worth |
| London Gatwick | Charlotte | ||
| London Heathrow | Charlotte, Philadelphia | London Heathrow | JFK, Chicago |
| Madrid Barajas | Charlotte, Philadelphia | Madrid Barajas | DallasFort Worth, Miami, JFK |
| Manchester | Philadelphia | Manchester | JFK, Chicago |
| Milan Malpensa | JFK | ||
| Munich | Philadelphia | ||
| Paris Charles De Gaulle | Charlotte, Philadelphia | Paris Charles De Gaulle | Boston, Chicago, DallasFort Worth, Miami, JFK |
| Rome Fiumicino | Charlotte, Philadelphia | ||
| Zurich | Philadelphia | Zurich | JFK |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, colspan: 2"]US Air
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, colspan: 2"]American Airlines
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]European destination
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Served from
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]European destination
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Served from
[/TH]
The European airports at which the combination will be felt the most are Manchester, where AA-US Air will have a 29% share of seat capacity to the US this summer (versus leader Virgin Atlantic on 30%); Madrid, where it will have 27%; and London Heathrow, where it will have 17%. While there will be no direct impact on specific city pair routes, an enhanced presence at an airport can help to promote market awareness and can build a carrier’s profile as a significant player on routes to the US.
Manchester to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| Virgin Atlantic |
| AA-US Air |
| American Airlines |
| US Airways |
| United |
| Delta |
| Pakistan International |
| Thomas Cook |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]29.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 29.4
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 18.1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 11.3
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]15.0
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10.5
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.5
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.8
[/TD]
Madrid to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| Iberia |
| AA-US Air |
| American Airlines |
| Delta |
| US Airways |
| Air Europa |
| United |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]49.7
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 27.1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 16.0
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.9
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 11.1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7.2
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.1
[/TD]
London Heathrow to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| British Airways |
| AA-US Air |
| Virgin Atlantic |
| American Airlines |
| United |
| Delta |
| US Airways |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]40.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 17.1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]17.0
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 14.9
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]15.3
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 2.2
[/TD]
Paris CDG to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| Air France |
| Delta |
| AA-US Air |
| American Airlines |
| United |
| US Airways |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]52.4
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.4
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7.9
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 4.0
[/TD]
Zurich to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| SWISS |
| United |
| Delta |
| AA-US Air |
| American Airlines |
| US Airways |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]60.5
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12.5
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13.9
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13.0
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 6.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 6.2
[/TD]
Frankfurt to United States airline share by capacity (seats) 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| Lufthansa |
| United |
| AA-US Air |
| US Airways |
| Delta |
| Singapore Airlines |
| Condor |
| American Airlines |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]Share of seats
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]54.6
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.4
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 10.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 8.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3.6
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.8
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 2.0
[/TD]
[h=2]Markets between the US and key European countries will feel different levels of impact[/h]Looking at country pairs between the US and the major western European nations, American Airlines and US Airways have a combined share of more than 25% in only two markets – Spain (32%) and Italy (26%) – and on one further market, Ireland, their combined share is 23%. On routes to Spain, market leader Iberia is only a little ahead, with a 36% share, while Alitalia’s leading share on Italy is even smaller at 32%. On Ireland, Aer Lingus’ position is more comfortable, with a share of 46%.
The merger is likely to have the biggest impact on European competitors where American Airlines and US Airways make the greatest market share gain as a result of the merger and where the market leader has a relatively low share.
American Airlines and US Airways capacity (seats) United States to principal western European countries, 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
Source: CAPA – Centre for Aviation & Innovata
The only other markets where the AA-US Air combination would have a double-digit share are the UK, France and Switzerland. The US to UK market is by far the biggest US to Europe country market and the new American would be ranked number three, with a 17% share, up from fourth place with 14%. Market leader BA has only 36% and will feel some extra heat, although the merger is unlikely to be a game changer in the already very competitive UK market.
The story is similar in France, where AA-US Air would move to third with a 13% share, but leader Air France is further ahead with 49%. In Switzerland, the combined AA-US Air share would only just move into double digits – it would be fourth on 11% and this is unlikely to have much impact on SWISS at number one with 57%.
American Airlines and US Airways share of capacity (seats, %) United States to principal western European countries, 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
Source: CAPA – Centre for Aviation & Innovata
Top nine airlines United States to United Kingdom by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | British Airways |
| 2 | Virgin Atlantic Airways |
| AA + US | |
| 3 | United Airlines |
| 4 | American Airlines |
| 5 | Delta Air Lines |
| 6 | US Airways |
| 7 | Thomas Cook Airlines |
| 8 | Air New Zealand |
| 9 | Kuwait Airways |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]80,908
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]36.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]46,085
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 37,869
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 16.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]36,813
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 30,645
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16,793
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 7,224
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 3.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,486
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,324
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]819
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]224,097
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top eight airlines United States to Germany by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Lufthansa |
| 2 | United Airlines |
| 3 | airberlin |
| AA + US | |
| 4 | Delta Air Lines |
| 5 | US Airways |
| 6 | Condor Flugdienst |
| 7 | American Airlines |
| 8 | Singapore Airlines |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]66,899
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]48.8%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]26,383
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]19.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13,332
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13,118
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9,954
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9,786
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 7.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4,233
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 3,332
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 2.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3,115
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]137,034
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top nine airlines United States to France by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Air France |
| 2 | Delta Air Lines |
| AA + US | |
| 3 | American Airlines |
| 4 | United Airlines |
| 5 | XL Airways France |
| 6 | US Airways |
| 7 | British Airways |
| 8 | Air Tahiti Nui |
| 9 | OpenSkies |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]47,700
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]49.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20,284
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 12,530
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 12.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 8,918
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7,168
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3,772
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 3,612
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 3.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,280
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,058
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1,482
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]97,274
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top five airlines United States to Netherlands by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Delta Air Lines |
| 2 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines |
| 3 | United Airlines |
| 4 | Arkefly |
| 5 | US Airways |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]34,625
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]60.8%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13,072
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]22.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6,230
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1,764
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,302
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 2.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]56,993
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top five airlines United States to Italy by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Alitalia |
| 2 | Delta Air Lines |
| AA + US | |
| 3 | US Airways |
| 4 | United Airlines |
| 5 | American Airlines |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]13,230
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]32.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11,982
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]29.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 10,647
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 26.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 5,922
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 14.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4,935
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 4,725
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 11.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]40,794
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top six airlines United States to Spain and Canary Islands by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Iberia |
| AA + US | |
| 2 | Delta Air Lines |
| 3 | American Airlines |
| 4 | US Airways |
| 5 | United Airlines |
| 6 | Air Europa Lineas Aereas |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]14,439
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]35.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13,083
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 32.3%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8,531
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]21.0%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 7,791
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 19.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 5,292
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,394
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2,093
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]40,540
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top five airlines United States to Ireland by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | Aer Lingus |
| AA + US | |
| 2 | Delta Air Lines |
| 3 | United Airlines |
| 4 | US Airways |
| 5 | American Airlines |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]14,024
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]45.8%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 6,916
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 22.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5,234
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]17.1%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4,446
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 4,032
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 13.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 2,884
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]30,620
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top five airlines United States to Switzerland by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | SWISS |
| 2 | United Airlines |
| 3 | Delta Air Lines |
| AA + US | |
| 4 | American Airlines |
| 5 | US Airways |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]15,574
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]56.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5,768
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]20.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3,192
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 3,003
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 10.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,575
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 5.7%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,428
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 5.2%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]27,537
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
Top five airlines United States to Belgium by seats: 29-Jul-2013 to 04-Aug-2013
| 1 | United Airlines |
| 2 | Brussels Airlines |
| 3 | Delta Air Lines |
| 4 | Jet Airways |
| 5 | US Airways |
| Total |
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"] Rank
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"] Total Seats
[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #00529F, align: right"]% share
[/TH]
[TD="align: right"]5,490
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]36.9%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3,208
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]21.5%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3,192
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]21.4%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1,575
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 1,428
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] 9.6%
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14,893
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]
[h=2]Iberia and Alitalia may feel the heat the most: CAPA Competitive Impact Index
[/h]As noted above, the merger of American Airlines and US Air is likely to have the biggest impact on European competitors where they make the greatest market share gain as a result of the merger and where the market leader has the lowest share. With this in mind, the chart below attempts to summarise and rank the airlines on which the merger will have most competitive impact with respect to their North Atlantic operations.
The chart shows how much incremental capacity the merged company will control after the merger as a percentage of the capacity of the current market leader between the US and the country concerned. For the purposes of this index, incremental capacity controlled by the merger is defined as the existing capacity of the smaller of AA and US Air between the US and the relevant country. For example, on US to Spain, American has a 19% share and US Airways has 13% so the larger of the two in this market, American, will gain an incremental 13%. The leader, Iberia, which has 36%, will now face a competitor who has effectively added capacity that is equal to almost 37% of its own capacity (13% of 36% gives 37%).
The CAPA Competitive Impact Index: incremental capacity controlled by AA-US Air as a result of the merger as a percentage of the market leader’s capacity
Source: CAPA analysis of data from CAPA – Centre for Aviation & Innovata
According to our analysis, Iberia and Alitalia are likely to be most affected competitively on their North Atlantic networks, followed by Aer Lingus. It is worth noting, however, that, since AA and US Air operate from different US hubs, there is no airport to airport route overlap between the two and so there may be little incremental competitive pressure felt by European carriers in practice, at least initially.
Nevertheless, where the new AA-US Air merged carrier has a more significant market presence, such as in Spain, Italy and Ireland, it may derive branding and marketing benefits, which could facilitate any plans to add frequencies or routes from those countries.
[/COLOR]
American Airlines warns managers: If you say something about the merger, we gotta disclose it
American Airlines sent out a message to its management team Friday advising them that the airline has to file a disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission if anybody communicates anything about the pending merger with US Airways and American.
How did we find out? Through an American Airlines’ disclosure that talked about the SEC filings.
“As a reminder, all communications relating to the proposed merger until the merger closes must strictly adhere to SEC Rule 425, which requires that all written statements by or on behalf of American that relate to the merger and could reach a public audience be filed with the SEC on the day the communications are used,” American said in an email to managers.
“To avoid any SEC violations, which include expensive fines and other legal penalties, you’re encouraged to rely on the Communications department to provide all written communications relating to the merger,” the email (and Form 425) said.
We’ve been reading various tweets, Facebook postings, emails and the like that American or its managers have put out ever since the Feb. 14 announcement of the merger. Much of it has been pretty banal, like this Tuesday exchange on American’s intranet with American’s top guy in Miami, the Caribbean and Latin America, Art Torno:
Employee #1 Feb 19, 2013
This is a very important moment for our Division!! to strengthen out position and revenue.. I feel much more optimistic and certain about our future with this messages. Let’s wait for the long process ahead and let’s get prepare because time flies!.
Art Torno Feb 19, 2013
Alma,
The New American will be a formidible competitor. I am so proud of the work we have done in MCLA in order to position us for success in the future!
Art
But it had to be disclosed.
Because of Rule 425, a daily newsletter for American Airlines maintenance people noted this week that it wasn’t going to mention the merger any more because any mention would require American to file the daily newsletter with the SEC.
On the merger announcement day Feb. 14, we had a couple of reporters go to the Hyatt Regency at D/FW Airport so they could sit in on the employee meeting with AMR/AA chairman and CEO Tom Horton and US Airways chairman and CEO Doug Parker.
They were kept out of the room and told firmly it was a closed meeting not open to the news media. In fact, an AA security guard told Sheryl Jean that she was not allowed to be in the main lobby of the Hyatt. (We’re still laughing about that one.)
Top secret, right? And the next day, American and US Airways filed a complete transcript of everything said in the meeting. In fact, there were no secrets, because of Rule 425.
Keep reading for the “guidance for all leaders” provided Friday by American:
• As leaders of the company, communication with your people is crucial to making this merger a success. Supporting your teams during this period of change is important and appreciated.
• It’s key to remember that until the merger closes, which is expected to occur in the third quarter, all merger-related communications issued by the company and its leaders must comply with SEC Rule 425.
• This rule requires that every written statement related to the transaction that could reach a “public” audience be filed with the SEC on the same day it is first used or published.
• SEC Rule 425 applies to all written communications including leaders’ blogs, decks, comments you may make on Jetnet, emails to your large team and even daily news stories that you might want to distribute to your people. It can also include calls with large audiences, in which case a transcript will need to be created and filed.
• The determination of which public written communications must be filed can be tricky – luckily, a special Rule 425 Compliance team has been set up to determine which communications must be filed with the SEC so that you don’t have to. You can reach them through the Communications team if needed.
• You can and should freely communicate with your people about daily business and the operation, which is not merger-related and not subject to Rule 425.
• You can also verbally discuss merger-related topics with your people, listen to their questions and understand their concerns. This is a good time to have more face-to-face conversations.
• However, please refrain from creating your own merger-related written communication in email, new Jetnet, social media, video or any other written medium.
• Instead, you’re encouraged to rely on American’s Communications Team to issue approved materials to ensure communications are properly filed and there are no SEC violations. If there are areas where you need additional support, please contact Communications, who can help address your needs.
• You can also direct your people to new Jetnet for information about the merger. They can ask questions if they don’t find what they are looking for and new answers are being posted on a regular basis and are being filed so you don’t have to worry about it.
• The additional legal review and filing process does add to the turn time for some materials and responses to questions to be posted to new Jetnet, but the Communications team is working as quickly as possible.
• Penalties for violation of the SEC’s restrictions can include delay of the deal, injunctive relief, and in egregious cases, civil fines and other penalties, so it’s important that we each do all we can to ensure we comply.
American Airlines sent out a message to its management team Friday advising them that the airline has to file a disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission if anybody communicates anything about the pending merger with US Airways and American.
How did we find out? Through an American Airlines’ disclosure that talked about the SEC filings.
“As a reminder, all communications relating to the proposed merger until the merger closes must strictly adhere to SEC Rule 425, which requires that all written statements by or on behalf of American that relate to the merger and could reach a public audience be filed with the SEC on the day the communications are used,” American said in an email to managers.
“To avoid any SEC violations, which include expensive fines and other legal penalties, you’re encouraged to rely on the Communications department to provide all written communications relating to the merger,” the email (and Form 425) said.
We’ve been reading various tweets, Facebook postings, emails and the like that American or its managers have put out ever since the Feb. 14 announcement of the merger. Much of it has been pretty banal, like this Tuesday exchange on American’s intranet with American’s top guy in Miami, the Caribbean and Latin America, Art Torno:
Employee #1 Feb 19, 2013
This is a very important moment for our Division!! to strengthen out position and revenue.. I feel much more optimistic and certain about our future with this messages. Let’s wait for the long process ahead and let’s get prepare because time flies!.
Art Torno Feb 19, 2013
Alma,
The New American will be a formidible competitor. I am so proud of the work we have done in MCLA in order to position us for success in the future!
Art
But it had to be disclosed.
Because of Rule 425, a daily newsletter for American Airlines maintenance people noted this week that it wasn’t going to mention the merger any more because any mention would require American to file the daily newsletter with the SEC.
On the merger announcement day Feb. 14, we had a couple of reporters go to the Hyatt Regency at D/FW Airport so they could sit in on the employee meeting with AMR/AA chairman and CEO Tom Horton and US Airways chairman and CEO Doug Parker.
They were kept out of the room and told firmly it was a closed meeting not open to the news media. In fact, an AA security guard told Sheryl Jean that she was not allowed to be in the main lobby of the Hyatt. (We’re still laughing about that one.)
Top secret, right? And the next day, American and US Airways filed a complete transcript of everything said in the meeting. In fact, there were no secrets, because of Rule 425.
Keep reading for the “guidance for all leaders” provided Friday by American:
• As leaders of the company, communication with your people is crucial to making this merger a success. Supporting your teams during this period of change is important and appreciated.
• It’s key to remember that until the merger closes, which is expected to occur in the third quarter, all merger-related communications issued by the company and its leaders must comply with SEC Rule 425.
• This rule requires that every written statement related to the transaction that could reach a “public” audience be filed with the SEC on the same day it is first used or published.
• SEC Rule 425 applies to all written communications including leaders’ blogs, decks, comments you may make on Jetnet, emails to your large team and even daily news stories that you might want to distribute to your people. It can also include calls with large audiences, in which case a transcript will need to be created and filed.
• The determination of which public written communications must be filed can be tricky – luckily, a special Rule 425 Compliance team has been set up to determine which communications must be filed with the SEC so that you don’t have to. You can reach them through the Communications team if needed.
• You can and should freely communicate with your people about daily business and the operation, which is not merger-related and not subject to Rule 425.
• You can also verbally discuss merger-related topics with your people, listen to their questions and understand their concerns. This is a good time to have more face-to-face conversations.
• However, please refrain from creating your own merger-related written communication in email, new Jetnet, social media, video or any other written medium.
• Instead, you’re encouraged to rely on American’s Communications Team to issue approved materials to ensure communications are properly filed and there are no SEC violations. If there are areas where you need additional support, please contact Communications, who can help address your needs.
• You can also direct your people to new Jetnet for information about the merger. They can ask questions if they don’t find what they are looking for and new answers are being posted on a regular basis and are being filed so you don’t have to worry about it.
• The additional legal review and filing process does add to the turn time for some materials and responses to questions to be posted to new Jetnet, but the Communications team is working as quickly as possible.
• Penalties for violation of the SEC’s restrictions can include delay of the deal, injunctive relief, and in egregious cases, civil fines and other penalties, so it’s important that we each do all we can to ensure we comply.
Fusione sempre più vicina:
US Airways Shareholders Approve Merger With American Airlines
US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) today announced that its shareholders approved the merger agreement with AMR Corporation (OTCQB: AAMRQ), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc.
The merger agreement was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of US Airways stock, which represented over 99% of the votes cast by US Airways shareholders on the proposal. Of the 132,788,060 shares voted, 132,273,780 shares voted in favor of the proposal; 257,757 shares voted against; and 256,523 abstained. Shareholders also approved other proposals related to the merger.
Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, and incoming CEO of the combined company, said, "We are pleased that our shareholders overwhelmingly supported our merger with American Airlines. This approval is a major milestone on our path to completing the merger, and we continue to make excellent progress overall thanks to the focused efforts of the dedicated representatives from both companies. By bringing together two highly complementary networks and generating significant revenue synergies, the new American Airlines will deliver enhanced value for its shareholders. I want to thank our shareholders, our customers and our more than 100,000 dedicated employees for their support throughout this process and look forward to moving forward as an even stronger airline."
As previously announced, AMR and US Airways agreed to combine to create the new American Airlines, a premier global carrier. Headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth, the new American Airlines will become a highly competitive alternative for consumers to other global carriers and is expected to offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. The combined airline will offer customers more choices and increased service across a larger worldwide network and through an enhanced oneworld® Alliance. Together, American Airlines and US Airways are expected to operate a mainline fleet of almost 950 aircraft and employ more than 100,000 team members worldwide.
The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and confirmation of AMR's Plan of Reorganization by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The companies continue to expect to complete the combination in the third quarter of 2013.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/pressroom/pressreleases.html
US Airways Shareholders Approve Merger With American Airlines
US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) today announced that its shareholders approved the merger agreement with AMR Corporation (OTCQB: AAMRQ), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc.
The merger agreement was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of US Airways stock, which represented over 99% of the votes cast by US Airways shareholders on the proposal. Of the 132,788,060 shares voted, 132,273,780 shares voted in favor of the proposal; 257,757 shares voted against; and 256,523 abstained. Shareholders also approved other proposals related to the merger.
Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, and incoming CEO of the combined company, said, "We are pleased that our shareholders overwhelmingly supported our merger with American Airlines. This approval is a major milestone on our path to completing the merger, and we continue to make excellent progress overall thanks to the focused efforts of the dedicated representatives from both companies. By bringing together two highly complementary networks and generating significant revenue synergies, the new American Airlines will deliver enhanced value for its shareholders. I want to thank our shareholders, our customers and our more than 100,000 dedicated employees for their support throughout this process and look forward to moving forward as an even stronger airline."
As previously announced, AMR and US Airways agreed to combine to create the new American Airlines, a premier global carrier. Headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth, the new American Airlines will become a highly competitive alternative for consumers to other global carriers and is expected to offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. The combined airline will offer customers more choices and increased service across a larger worldwide network and through an enhanced oneworld® Alliance. Together, American Airlines and US Airways are expected to operate a mainline fleet of almost 950 aircraft and employ more than 100,000 team members worldwide.
The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and confirmation of AMR's Plan of Reorganization by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The companies continue to expect to complete the combination in the third quarter of 2013.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/pressroom/pressreleases.html
Washington si oppone alla fusione, come già fatto in tempi recenti per un'altra proposta megafusione fra AT&T e TMobile. http://www.corriere.it/economia/13_...ne_f4538d90-0433-11e3-b7de-a2b03b792de4.shtml
Mo'?? Sarà una mossa per far vedere che non avvallano subito? Questi già hanno fatto dichiarazioni, conferenze stampa congiunte, migrazioni di alleanze a breve....
Tutto da capire. Il Department of Justice ha fatto ricorso contro questa fusione: un tribunale deciderà se dare ragione al ministero oppure alle società che vogliono fondersi. Spesso, in queste situazioni, si assiste a patteggiamenti: l'azienda concede qualcosa (nel trasporto aereo, la cessione di slot laddove la concentrazione fosse considerata eccessiva) e in cambio il ministero ritira il ricorso. In altri casi, la corte impone concessioni di natura simile. E' raro che ci sia un blocco totale. Nel caso più recente che mi viene in mente, l'operatore di telefonia AT&T ha rinunciato all'acquisto del concorrente TMobile.
Come previsto American Airlines e US Airways combatteranno duro contro il ricorso del governo americano:
AMERICAN AIRLINES AND US AIRWAYS TO FIGHT JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ACTION
Today
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Companies Will Mount Vigorous And Strong Defense of Merger
Combined Airline Will Offer Benefits to Consumers, Communities and Employees
FORT WORTH, Texas and TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AMR Corporation (OTCQB: AAMRQ), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) today announced that they intend to mount a vigorous and strong defense to the U.S. Department of Justice's ("DOJ") effort to block their proposed merger.
"We believe that the DOJ is wrong in its assessment of our merger. Integrating the complementary networks of American and US Airways to benefit passengers is the motivation for bringing these airlines together. Blocking this procompetitive merger will deny customers access to a broader airline network that gives them more choices.
"Further, this merger provides the best outcome for AMR's restructuring. The widespread support from the employees and financial stakeholders of both airlines underscores the fact that this is the best path forward for both airlines and the customers and communities we serve.
"We will mount a vigorous defense and pursue all legal options in order to achieve this merger and deliver the benefits of the new American to our customers and communities as soon as possible."
Trovate il resto sul sito:
http://newamericanarriving.com/news...us-airways-to-fight-justice-department-action
AMERICAN AIRLINES AND US AIRWAYS TO FIGHT JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ACTION
Today
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services
8
Companies Will Mount Vigorous And Strong Defense of Merger
Combined Airline Will Offer Benefits to Consumers, Communities and Employees
FORT WORTH, Texas and TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AMR Corporation (OTCQB: AAMRQ), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) today announced that they intend to mount a vigorous and strong defense to the U.S. Department of Justice's ("DOJ") effort to block their proposed merger.
"We believe that the DOJ is wrong in its assessment of our merger. Integrating the complementary networks of American and US Airways to benefit passengers is the motivation for bringing these airlines together. Blocking this procompetitive merger will deny customers access to a broader airline network that gives them more choices.
"Further, this merger provides the best outcome for AMR's restructuring. The widespread support from the employees and financial stakeholders of both airlines underscores the fact that this is the best path forward for both airlines and the customers and communities we serve.
"We will mount a vigorous defense and pursue all legal options in order to achieve this merger and deliver the benefits of the new American to our customers and communities as soon as possible."
Trovate il resto sul sito:
http://newamericanarriving.com/news...us-airways-to-fight-justice-department-action
Intanto continuano i progressi dei conti AA. Nel Q3 ha postato un risultato netto di $289 milioni.
AMR Profit Seen Leading Airlines in Doubling Net Income
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (AAMRQ) posted third-quarter net income of $289 million today, leading off earnings reports for U.S. carriers whose profits may have doubled on stronger travel demand.
The Bloomberg U.S. Airlines Index rose to the highest level in almost six years after AMR’s results. Net income at the six biggest carriers will be $2.6 billion, according to Savanthi Syth, an analyst at Raymond James Financial Inc., after $1.12 billion a year earlier. She said planes stayed full into the usually slower month of September.
“It’s not going gangbusters, but it’s healthy, which is encouraging,” Syth said in an interview from St. Petersburg, Florida. “We’ll see what kind of impact the government shutdown has. Shorter term, the industry’s OK, but that could have an impact on demand going forward.”
AMR, stranded in bankruptcy amid a federal lawsuit to stop its merger with US Airways Group Inc. (LCC), said sales rose 6.2 percent to $6.83 billion. Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), United Continental Holdings Inc., US Airways, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp. will announce results next week.
Closing the government “is not helpful” to the industry, said AMR Chief Executive Officer Tom Horton, who didn’t quantify the effect on the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier.
New Bookings
Bookings this quarter are “quite strong compared to this time last year” and are up for business and leisure flying, Horton said in an interview. “That’s why we saw the revenue strength in the third quarter. A 6 percent increase in revenue is a pretty big deal in this industry.”
The company’s sales boost was the largest since the first quarter of 2012, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
AMR climbed 9.3 percent to $5.62 at 4 p.m. in New York in over-the-counter trading. The airlines index gained 2.5 percent to its highest since October 2007.
“People are watching it,” Syth said of AMR. “It lends to how healthy the industry is. As investors focus longer term on this industry, you want all the leaders to be doing well.”
Quarterly profit of 76 cents a share, helped by flying more passengers at higher fares, compared with a net loss of $238 million, or 71 cents a share, a year earlier, AMR said in a statement. Profit excluding reorganization costs and special items rose to $530 million from $110 million a year earlier.
Demand, Capacity
American will boost seating capacity 3.5 percent this quarter, in part due to an increase in service to South Korea, Mexico and Central and South America. Capacity will rise 1.5 percent for the full year, according to the company.
“Demand for travel so far is outpacing our capacity increase, which is good,” Horton said.
AMR is approaching the end of its second full year in bankruptcy. It has received court approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy by merging with US Airways pending the resolution of a U.S. Justice Department antitrust lawsuit.
Regulators argue the combination would hurt consumers by boosting fares, while the airlines say the merged carrier, which would become the world’s biggest, would foster competition because United and Delta are both larger than American and US Airways on their own.
The U.S. industry returned to profit in 2010 after carriers cut capacity to better match demand, reducing costs and allowing airlines to boost fares as planes flew with more seats filled. Hunter Keay, a Wolfe Research Inc. analyst in New York, estimated that the six largest carriers would post a collective profit of $2.9 billion excluding one-time items.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...-leading-airlines-in-doubling-net-income.html
AMR Profit Seen Leading Airlines in Doubling Net Income
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (AAMRQ) posted third-quarter net income of $289 million today, leading off earnings reports for U.S. carriers whose profits may have doubled on stronger travel demand.
The Bloomberg U.S. Airlines Index rose to the highest level in almost six years after AMR’s results. Net income at the six biggest carriers will be $2.6 billion, according to Savanthi Syth, an analyst at Raymond James Financial Inc., after $1.12 billion a year earlier. She said planes stayed full into the usually slower month of September.
“It’s not going gangbusters, but it’s healthy, which is encouraging,” Syth said in an interview from St. Petersburg, Florida. “We’ll see what kind of impact the government shutdown has. Shorter term, the industry’s OK, but that could have an impact on demand going forward.”
AMR, stranded in bankruptcy amid a federal lawsuit to stop its merger with US Airways Group Inc. (LCC), said sales rose 6.2 percent to $6.83 billion. Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), United Continental Holdings Inc., US Airways, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp. will announce results next week.
Closing the government “is not helpful” to the industry, said AMR Chief Executive Officer Tom Horton, who didn’t quantify the effect on the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier.
New Bookings
Bookings this quarter are “quite strong compared to this time last year” and are up for business and leisure flying, Horton said in an interview. “That’s why we saw the revenue strength in the third quarter. A 6 percent increase in revenue is a pretty big deal in this industry.”
The company’s sales boost was the largest since the first quarter of 2012, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
AMR climbed 9.3 percent to $5.62 at 4 p.m. in New York in over-the-counter trading. The airlines index gained 2.5 percent to its highest since October 2007.
“People are watching it,” Syth said of AMR. “It lends to how healthy the industry is. As investors focus longer term on this industry, you want all the leaders to be doing well.”
Quarterly profit of 76 cents a share, helped by flying more passengers at higher fares, compared with a net loss of $238 million, or 71 cents a share, a year earlier, AMR said in a statement. Profit excluding reorganization costs and special items rose to $530 million from $110 million a year earlier.
Demand, Capacity
American will boost seating capacity 3.5 percent this quarter, in part due to an increase in service to South Korea, Mexico and Central and South America. Capacity will rise 1.5 percent for the full year, according to the company.
“Demand for travel so far is outpacing our capacity increase, which is good,” Horton said.
AMR is approaching the end of its second full year in bankruptcy. It has received court approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy by merging with US Airways pending the resolution of a U.S. Justice Department antitrust lawsuit.
Regulators argue the combination would hurt consumers by boosting fares, while the airlines say the merged carrier, which would become the world’s biggest, would foster competition because United and Delta are both larger than American and US Airways on their own.
The U.S. industry returned to profit in 2010 after carriers cut capacity to better match demand, reducing costs and allowing airlines to boost fares as planes flew with more seats filled. Hunter Keay, a Wolfe Research Inc. analyst in New York, estimated that the six largest carriers would post a collective profit of $2.9 billion excluding one-time items.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...-leading-airlines-in-doubling-net-income.html