Fusioni tra vettori USA


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Continental and United Said to Be Closer to a Merger

By MICHELINE MAYNARD
Published: April 26, 2008

United Airlines and Continental Airlines are getting closer to a merger agreement and would like to wrap up a deal by the end of next week, people with direct knowledge of the discussions said Friday.
The negotiations, which have been under way for months, accelerated after Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced a $3 billion deal on April 14 that would create the nation’s biggest air carrier.
The talks between United and Continental are in an advanced stage but are not yet complete, the people who had been briefed on them said. They requested anonymity because the talks are private.
The two airlines would like to be finished by Thursday, these people added, although the negotiations could easily run into delays.
As with Delta and Northwest, United and Continental would like to win regulatory approval before President Bush leaves office rather than risk delays that could take place under a new president.
Meanwhile, Continental is getting ready to provide details of any possible deal, at least if its Web page is any indication.
The Houston-based airline has posted a link on its home page to a new part of its site that looks like it can be transformed into a merger information page, as soon as a deal occurs.
The page went live on April 15, a Continental spokesman, Dave Messing, said Friday, but only began attracting attention this week.
Mr. Messing declined further comment. A United spokeswoman, Jean Medina, said the company did not comment on “rumors or speculation.”
The link, www.co-industryconsolidation.com, sits next to a headline, “Latest News and Offers.” It is to the right of a form where passengers can book their flights.
“Welcome to a portion of our Web site designed specifically to provide Continental’s perspective on airline industry consolidation,” the site’s first post reads. “We will add new information to this section as it arises.”
Continental’s consolidation page features only a few links — one to news releases, another to a “Frequently Asked Questions” page that talks about what the Delta-Northwest merger might mean to Continental, and a third guiding visitors to company Webcasts.
But, as the welcome letter says, “Please check back here regularly for more information.”
Delta and Northwest also have their own new Web page, www.newglobalairline.com, which they posted April 15.
On Thursday, executives from both airlines sought to reassure members of Congress that the deal would not hurt consumers or result in significant job losses.
The two airlines blamed high fuel prices for combined losses of $465 million in the first quarter. Delta and Northwest filed for bankruptcy protection on Sept. 14, 2005, after fuel prices spiked in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Delta emerged from Chapter 11 protection in April 2007, while Northwest completed its restructuring a month later.
Shares of United’s parent, the UAL Corporation, fell 19 cents Friday to $15.21, while Continental closed at $17.22, down 46 cents. Delta stock closed at $7.01, down 25 cents, while Northwest fell 32 cents to $7.56.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
 
FAQ
  1. What does the Delta/Northwest merger mean to Continental
  2. How will Continental remain competitive once Delta and Northwest merge?
  3. Will this merger affect Continental’s participation in SkyTeam or its alliances with Delta and/or Northwest? Is there any effect on my use of airport lounges, frequent flyer benefits, or code share flights?
1. What does the Delta/Northwest merger mean to Continental?
As we’ve said repeatedly for more than a year and a half, our preference has been to remain independent as long as the competitive landscape remained the same. However, the landscape is changing. We will review our strategic alternatives and make sure we remain a strong long-term competitor. As always, our goal is to do what is best for our co-workers, shareholders, customers and the communities we serve.


2. How will Continental remain competitive once Delta and Northwest merge?
Continental is an industry-leading airline. We have an enviable position in the New York market, along with established hubs in Houston, Cleveland and Guam. Our newly acquired access to Heathrow improves our standing in the trans-Atlantic sector, and we have a comprehensive Latin America network and a growing portfolio of routes to India and Asia, including the major Japan and China markets. We have the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet and best new aircraft order book among the major network carriers. And most importantly, we deliver award-winning service to our customers thanks to our co-workers’ great work every day.


3. Will this merger affect Continental’s participation in SkyTeam or its alliances with Delta and/or Northwest? Is there any effect on my use of airport lounges, frequent flyer benefits, or code share flights?
At this time, it is business as usual at Continental, and our alliance agreements with Northwest, Delta and SkyTeam are still in place.
However, in light of the Delta/Northwest announcement, we are reviewing our continued participation in the alliance with Northwest, Delta and SkyTeam, and we are evaluating what course of action would be best for our co-workers, shareholders, customers and the communities we serve.
We are committed to being an important player in one of the three global alliances, so that we can continue to offer a broad, global network to our customers. We will communicate any changes that result from that review.
 
Il de-consolidamento di CO da SkyTeam diventa sempre più una certezza...
 
American in tratativa con Continental&US Air

American Airlines e in tratativa per una alleanca con Continental e US Airways
Le tratative hanno cominciato dopo fa fusione di Delta e Northwest
Un addeto stama della Continental Ha deto che CO preferisce rimanere indipendente anche la competizione del momento ma discutere si po fare
US Airways invece e in mezzo a due fuochi anche perche United che e un partner Star ha le stesse intezioni di fusione
P.S Andando avanti cosi i USA finirano ad avere una sola compagnia di bandiera come tutti i paesi europei
 
Si peccato che dire gli USA avranno una compagnia sola come TUTTI i paesi europei non è proprio la stessa cosa!

Almeno europa hanno i gruppi SAS Finnair AF/KLM LH/LX BA(+IB?)....tutto il resto conta effettivamente per quello che è...
 
CONTINENTAL non si fonde con altri vettori: comunicazione ufficiale

nonostante il tam-tam mediatico e di blog sulle possibili opotesi di talks per fusione tra CO e AA o UA, allego quanto trasmesso oggi da CO dove si comunica l'assenza di progetti di fusione con altri vettori.

from the Corporate Message Board, Official Announcement:

April 27, 2008

EMPLOYEE BULLETIN NO. 6


Dear Co-worker,

We want you to know that our Board of Directors met today and has unanimously supported management’s recommendation that, in the current industry environment, the best course for Continental is to not merge with another airline at this time.

Our recommendation, and the Board’s careful and considered decision, followed a comprehensive review of our strategic alternatives, assisted by our senior officers and advised by Continental’s outside financial and legal advisors. The Board very carefully considered all the risks and benefits of a merger with another airline, and determined that the risks of a merger at this time outweigh the potential rewards, as compared to Continental’s prospects on a standalone basis.

We have significant cultural, operational and financial strengths compared to the rest of the industry, and we want to protect and enhance those strengths -- which we believe would be placed at risk in a merger with another carrier in today’s environment. We will, however, continue to review potential alliances and our membership in SkyTeam. We are considering alternatives to SkyTeam as we carefully evaluate which major global alliance will be best for Continental over the long term.

While some would prefer to see Continental pursue a merger, we strongly believe we have made the right decision – one that is in the best interests of our stockholders, co-workers, customers and the communities we serve.

Every U.S. carrier, including Continental, is under enormous pressure from record high fuel prices, a slowing U.S. economy and a weak dollar. In today’s harsh environment, we must continue to adjust our business model to ensure we successfully navigate through these difficult times, so that in the future we can once again grow and prosper. As we take actions, we will communicate them to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, we must all continue to concentrate on what we do so well: delivering clean, safe and reliable air transportation every day.

Even in these tough times, we have great strengths. We have an enviable position in the New York market, a powerful hub in Houston, and hubs in Cleveland and Guam. We have a solid trans-Atlantic route network, which has recently been enhanced by our access to London Heathrow. We also have a great Latin American network and a growing portfolio of routes to India and Asia. We fly the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet and have the best new aircraft order book among the major network carriers.

Most importantly, we have our Working Together culture, and we will ensure it remains intact. We’ve achieved our industry-leading customer service reputation because of you – our co-workers. We will all work together to get through these tough times.

We are both proud to be on your team."
 
Dichiarazione che lascia il tempo che trova.
Innanzitutto conferma che CO si sta guardando intorno nelle alleanze ed è ovvio che cambierà alleanza soprattutto se si fonderà con UA o magari AA. Poi è chiaro che CO si venderebbe al migliore offerente e per alzare il prezzo recita la parte della sdegnosa. In ogni caso non si farà nulla se non sarà stata approvata dal DOJ la fusione DL-NW.
 
28 aprile 2008 - 07.56

Trasporto aereo: Continental abbandona trattative con United


NEW YORK - Continental abbandona le trattative con United Airlines, mettendo così fine alle voci che si susseguono da settimane su un eventuale matrimonio fra le due società.

"La migliore soluzione per Continental in questo momento è quella di non fondersi con un'altra compagnia. Il board ha attentamente considerato i pro e i contro di una fusione, giungendo alla conclusione che i rischi prevalgono sui benefici", si legge in una lettera inviata ai dipendenti dal presidente e dall'amministratore delegato, Jeff Smisek e Lerry Kellner. Nella missiva, i vertici di Continental spiegano che i conti della società potrebbero "essere messi in pericolo" da un fusione, e affermano che il board sta vagliando alternative a Sky Team, per valutare quale delle maggiori alleanze globali rappresenti la migliore soluzione per la società.

La decisione di interrompere le trattative è legata ai risultati trimestrali peggiori delle aspettative di United, che hanno posto dubbi sulla resistenza finanziaria della società per far fronte al caro-carburante e alla flessione della domanda di viaggi aerei. Secondo le indiscrezioni, Continental continuerà, comunque, a trattare con American Airlines e British Airways per un'alleanza. United Airlines, invece, dovrà decidere se continuare o meno a negoziare con Us Airways, la più piccola delle maggiori compagnie aeree americane.

swissinfo.ch
 
Continental rules out merger; United, US Airways reportedly in talks

Tuesday April 29, 2008
Continental Airlines said it will not merge with another airline, squelching speculation that it was interested in a tie-up with United Airlines, which conversely said that it would "pursue all options" and reportedly is in talks with US Airways about a possible combination.
The recent merger agreement announcement between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines rendered NWA's "golden share" in CO void and allowed the Houston-based carrier to pursue a merger of its own. But in a weekend message to employees, Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner said, "The best course for Continental is to not merge with another airline at this time. . .The board very carefully considered all the risks and benefits of a merger with another airline and determined that the risks of a merger at this time outweigh the potential rewards [of remaining independent]."
Responded UA Chairman, President and CEO Glenn Tilton: "With Continental's announcement. . .the dynamics in the US airline industry continue to evolve." He added that UA management will do what is "right" for shareholders and employees.
Tilton repeatedly has called consolidation a "strategic imperative" for the industry. US also has been a strong proponent of consolidation and unsuccessfully attempted to acquire DL last year. Neither carrier responded to widespread media reports that the two are in serious talks regarding a merger.
Unisys R2A Transportation and Management Consulting VP Ron Kuhlman, a longtime industry observer, told ATWOnline that CO was wise to shy away from the "crowd mentality" in favor of consolidation. "They have taken a step back and looked at the ramifications of a merger and said, 'Wait a minute, the current wisdom that bigger is better maybe is not true. Maybe being a smaller, nimble airline is actually better.'" He added that the history of airline mergers in the US "is neither pretty nor enviable" and predicted a "very long period of instability" for DL and NWA as they attempt to combine "significantly different cultures."
Kellner said that despite high fuel prices and "tough times" for US airlines, "we have great strengths," including solid hubs in Newark and Houston and a growing international presence, with a particularly strong Latin American network. "We fly the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet [in the US] and have the best new aircraft order book among the major network carriers," he added.

by Aaron Karp
ATWOnline
 
Ogni giorno viene pubblicata una notizia diversa....ieri:

TRASPORTO AEREO:CONTINENTAL RESTA SOLA,STOP PIANI CON UNITED
(ANSA) - NEW YORK, 28 apr - Continental sceglie, per il momento, di restare da sola e di accantonare i progetti di fusione che rischiano di ''mettere in pericolo i conti'' della societa'. Nessun dettaglio su eventuali trattative in corso e' stato esplicitato dalla societa', ma il riferimento appare diretto alle negoziazioni con United Airlines, che ormai da anni tenta di convolare a nozze con Continental. Rumors su un matrimonio a breve fra le due compagnie sono circolate insistentemente nelle ultime settimane, dopo l'annunciata fusione Delta-Northwest. ''La migliore soluzione per Continental in questo momento e' quella di non fondersi con un'altra compagnia. Il board ha attentamente considerato i pro e i contro di una fusione, giungendo alla conclusione che i rischi prevalgono sui benefici'', si legge in una lettera inviata ai dipendenti dal presidente e dall'amministratore delegato, Jeff Smisek e Lerry Kellner, dove si precisa comunque che il board sta vagliando alternative a Sky Team, per valutare quale delle maggiori alleanze globali rappresenti la migliore soluzione per la societa'. Pur abbandonando i piani di fusione con United, il board di Continental continuera' - secondo fonti vicine all'operazione - a trattare un'alleanza con American Airlines e British Airways, che fanno parte dell'alleanza Oneworld. Incassata la decisione di Continental, United Airlines continuera' ora a trattare una fusione con Us Airways, la piu' piccola delle maggiori compagnie aeree americane. ''Il processo di consolidamento e' in atto e assicurarsi di avere il migliore partner e' tutto. Continueremo a seguire tutte le opzioni per assicurare un futuro solido e sostenibile per la nostra compagnia'', spiega in un messaggio ai dipendenti l'amministratore delegato di United Airlines, Glenn Tilton. La scorsa settimana United ha diffuso risultati trimestrali inferiori alle aspettative e ha annunciato il taglio di 1.000 posti lavoro e la volonta' di voler intensificare gli sforzi per far salire le entrate. E proprio i risultati negativi della compagnia sarebbero uno dei motivi che avrebbero spinto Continental a ritirarsi. L'industria del trasporto aereo sta attraversando un momento difficile, alle prese con il caro-carburanti e la riduzione della domanda. Durante il weekend, la compagnia Eos ha annunciato lo stop della propria attivita' a partire da oggi, divenendo cosi' la quarta compagnia americana a dare forfait nell'ultimo mese. Secondo alcune stime quest'anno la bolletta petrolifera delle compagnie americane si attestera' a 59 miliardi di dollari, contro i 14 del 2000. Per far fronte all'aumento dei costi, le compagnie hanno ritoccato al rialzo i prezzi delle tariffe, circa il 26% fra il 2000 e il 2004. Gli analisti ritengono che eventuali fusioni nel settore aereo si tradurranno in un ulteriore aumento delle tariffe. (ANSA). DRZ
 
United Airlines adesso guarda a Us Airways

United Airlines adesso guarda a Us Airways
Secondo rumors il vettore sarebbe in trattative

Abbandonata l'ipotesi Continental Airlines, potrebbe esserci un nuovo "matrimonio" in vista per United Airlines. Secondo quanto scrive Milano Finanza oggi, infatti, il vettore starebbe portando avanti delle trattative con Us Airways. Non sono ancora arrivate conferme dai diretti interessati, ma intanto alla Borsa di New York il titolo Us Airways ha reagito ieri con una crescita di oltre il 14%, in perdita del 6% invece United.
Guidaviaggi
 
che dire..stessa alleanza, flotte simili almeno per quanto riguarda il medio raggio con airbus 320 family e b757 un pò meno per il long haul, ma gli hub credo che diverrebbero un pò un grattacapo: PHL vs IAD e PHX vs DEN..non trovate?
 
Thursday May 1, 2008

British Airways issued a statement yesterday confirming that it is "exploring opportunities for cooperation with American Airlines and Continental Airlines" and that "further details will be announced when appropriate." CO said two weeks ago that it was reconsidering its membership in SkyTeam and would examine other potential alliances as well as a merger. Over the weekend it declined an offer to merge with United Airlines

ATWOnline
 
BA says in talks with American, Continental
updated 2:58 p.m. ET April 30, 2008

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - British Airways said on Wednesday it was in discussions with two of its largest U.S. rivals, American Airlines and Continental Airlines, which a source briefed on the matter said was about a potential alliance.

Such a collaboration would create a powerful force in the lucrative trans-Atlantic market, bringing Britain's flag carrier into closer co-operation with American, the world's biggest airline by traffic, and Continental, the U.S. No. 4.

"British Airways is exploring opportunities for co-operation with American Airlines and Continental Airlines," the company said in a brief statement, without elaborating.

American Airlines, owned by AMR Corp, confirmed it was in talks with BA. "AMR is exploring opportunities for cooperation with British Airways," a spokesperson told Reuters. A Continental Airlines spokeswoman declined comment.

The source briefed on the matter told Reuters earlier in the week that Continental Airlines Inc was in "advanced talks" with BA about an alliance, which would help the duo streamline costs while sharing revenues.

Continental said on Sunday it would not seek a merger with another airline, calling off talks with UAL Corp's United Airlines, saying instead it would carry on reviewing its alliances with other carriers.

American Airlines and BA already have an alliance through the 10-member oneworld alliance, but have twice tried and failed to win antitrust immunity for it. If Continental opted to join with BA and American Airlines, it would likely spell the end of its trans-Atlantic codeshare arrangement with BA's bitter rival Virgin Atlantic.

Limited immunity from U.S. antitrust laws permits air carriers to coordinate schedules, route planning, and services over international routes. It offers more seamless connections and other benefits that can maximize revenue. Alliances with immunity have been coveted and lucrative, and easier to pull off internally and with regulators than a merger.

Regulators have long been concerned that stronger American/BA ties would jeopardize competition at London's Heathrow airport for other U.S. carriers. But air travel restrictions have eased under a U.S./EU "Open Skies" agreement that took effect in March, creating new opportunities for trans-Atlantic air services.

Delta Air Lines Inc and Northwest Airlines Corp, which struck a merger deal earlier this month, received approval earlier this month from U.S. transportation regulators to broaden their alliance with AirFrance-KLM, Alitalia and other overseas partners.

A full merger between BA and one of the U.S. carriers is unlikely, given that U.S. law caps foreign ownership of U.S. airlines at 25 percent of voting stock. European carriers are hoping that the second stage of "Open Skies" will lift those limits by 2010, but U.S. labor groups and politicians are broadly against it.

Earlier this year German airline Lufthansa bought a 19 percent stake in U.S. discount carrier JetBlue Airways Corp , but no full-scale trans-Atlantic mergers have been attempted.

The BA spokesman would not comment on the possibility of a full-blown merger. ABN AMRO analyst Andrew Lobbenberg said that it would not be allowed by regulators.

BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh told a conference earlier on Wednesday that restrictions barring the possibility of a merger with a U.S. rival should be lifted.

"Airlines may be more sympathetic to consolidation than in other eras (due to the tough climate)," he told the Institute of Directors conference in London.

(Reporting by John Bowker in London, Jui Chakravorty and Bill Rigby in New York, John Crawley in Washington, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

Copyright 2008 Reuters.
 
Virgin blasts potential BA/AA/CO alliance; UA pilots slam possible US merger

Friday May 2, 2008
Opposition from some quarters to potential moves by US airlines in response to the recent Delta Air Lines/Northwest Airlines merger announcement is fierce, with Virgin Atlantic Airways vowing to fight a British Airways/American Airlines/Continental Airlines transatlantic alliance and United Airlines' pilots expressing strong disapproval of management's reported merger negotiations with US Airways.
CO said earlier this week that it has ruled out a merger, but the current SkyTeam member is on the outside looking in at a DL-NWA-Air France-KLM transatlantic alliance and, according to BA, is exploring the possibility of leaving SkyTeam and joining with BA and AA in those carriers' long-proposed transatlantic partnership.
Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson said yesterday that he would "fight tooth and nail" against such an alliance. "When BA and AA first tried to get together nearly 10 years ago, the regulators ruled it was against the consumer interest," he said. "A link-up between BA and AA is still anticompetitive and now they have the cheek of trying to add Continental to the mix too. This triple whammy would reduce effective competition across the Atlantic and the regulators should make it absolutely clear that it would have no chance of getting off the starting grid."
Meanwhile, a possible UA-US combination, apparently being explored in the aftermath of the DL-NWA announcement, would have to overcome considerable misgivings by pilot groups. US still is struggling to integrate former America West Airlines and former US Airways pilots into one group, creating a problematic East-West split among its flight deck crews.
Air Line Pilots Assn. UA MEC Chairman Steve Wallach said in a statement this week that a merger with US "would be extremely negative," adding: "Continued difficulties [after more than two-and-a-half years] associated with [AWA-US] pilot seniority integration are well chronicled. Even those reports grossly underestimate the complexity of seniority integration, which likely will not be solved without years of litigation. US Airways' pilot integration problems have created a toxic stew, as any carrier that seeks to merge with it will quickly discover."
US pilots recently rejected ALPA representation over frustration with the union's lack of progress in negotiations with management.

by Aaron Karp
ATWOnline
 
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