Mergers coming soon....

[Twicebaked]

Wait, wait....... how about we merge with UPS? There's the cargo facility right across the field that can be POOOOOF the new int'l terminal. Just push the folks like cargo. Quite brilliant actually. It'd give us that global reach they are striving for to push that "American Experience". Seriously, I hope we hear something.

Honestly, I would rather be the flight attendant with the cargo.

At least the packages won't complain continually.

YACK YACK YACK!!!!!!

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

My bad....US and a global carrier!!!!

So what is the "news"?

 

[fr8tmastr]

I am still waiting for the big announcement from the 4th. Did anyone catch that one?

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

I am still waiting for the big announcement from the 4th. Did anyone catch that one?

Yeah, you and me both.

 

[Tiger 1050]

Supposedly there is an announcement of a merger on Friday the 14th of December. This came from a VERY realiable source. The source did not say with whom, but it is a global carrier.

Don't shot the messenger.....we have all "heard" big news coming....sometimes it does....sometimes it doesn't

BUT, that is the word on the street

Nothing personal but I think you have been baked one too many times...

 

[Twicebaked]

Nothing personal but I think you have been baked one too many times...

I guess we will just have to wait and see now won't we.

That is why I said SUPPOSEDLY!!!!!!!!

May be the "4th" announcement was really the "14th".... lol

 

[EMBFA]

Well, usually we know something shortly before. I don't imagine the Sandpeople are great at keeping secrets.

 

[EastUS]

I guess we will just have to wait and see now won't we.

That is why I said SUPPOSEDLY!!!!!!!!

May be the "4th" announcement was really the "14th".... lol

Given the state of the IT dept and overall software excellence here; perhaps they really meant the "44th"...in which case it'll be awhile

 

[US1YFARE]

My bad....US and a global carrier!!!!

Hmnmm...well, HP already merged with US so it can't be them...who is else is global...oh, AS, don't they fly to Mexico and Canada?

I don't imagine the Sandpeople are great at keeping secrets.

Isn't that what happens when you get liquored up.

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

I would guess a UAL deal would result in more divestitures on the east side than the west. Like maybe The Shuttle and slots and gates at DCA & LGA. With a hub at IAD the chances are PHL would be the loser.

But it's a moot point since the UAL pilots will never let it happen. The hand that controls the parking break can accomplish a lot.

From: Forbes.com

Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl said that UAL has been under pressure to please stockholders in an effort to support its stock price. Neidl also noted that the special distribution clarifies any confusion about whether the company had a takeover in the works. "UAL wouldn't be giving out money if it was planning to merge," said Neidl.

 

[deltawatch]

SAN FRANCISCO -- JetBlue Airways Group shares surged as much as 41% Thursday afternoon, lifting the sector out of a morning sell-off, on news that Deutsche Lufthansa may take a minority stake in the airline carrier.

Citing unnamed people briefed on the matter, the newspaper site said that the announcement could be as made as soon as Thursday afternoon following the close of stock trading.

JetBlue spokeswoman Jenny Dervin said that the company would not "comment on rumors or speculation."
A representative for Lufthansa in New York also declined comment.

Interest from Lufthansa would illustrate the ability of foreign investors to take advantage of the euro's strength against the dollar, according to the New York Times. If the German carrier were to limit its stake to 20%, Lufthansa would remain below federal limits on foreign ownership in a domestic airline. A passive investment would open up the opportunity for Lufthansa to make a bigger deal in the future, the report added, citing unnamed sources.

Wall Street has been hungry to see airline mergers as operating conditions for the industry have worsened, hammering stock prices. Oil prices have jumped past $92 a barrel, up more than 50% from the start of the year, prompting airlines including Southwest Airlines Co.

 

[AstroLounge]

My goodness it will be US pairing up with Allied Van Lines. We'll be moving folks on the ground in 18 wheelers.

And I was thinking along the lines of air Zimbabwe. Offering Desert-to-Desert excursions. The possibilities are intriguing. Maybe the Ouija board will clarify. 🙄

 

[700UW]

Press Release
Source: JetBlue Airways Corporation

Lufthansa to Make Equity Investment in JetBlue; Will Buy Up to 19% Stake For $7.27 Per Share
Thursday December 13, 3:05 pm ET


NEW YORK and FRANKFURT, Germany, Dec. 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (NasdaqGS:JBLU - News) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra:WKN 823212) today announced an agreement for Lufthansa to make a minority equity investment in JetBlue. This transaction represents the first significant investment by a European air carrier in a U.S. point-to-point air carrier.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the Boards of both companies, Lufthansa will purchase in a private placement approximately 42 million newly issued common shares of JetBlue, or 19% of JetBlue's equity after giving effect to the issuance. Lufthansa is acquiring the shares at a price of $7.27 per share, or a total of approximately $300 million, representing approximately a 16% premium to yesterday's closing price of $6.25.

The agreement provides that a Lufthansa nominee will be appointed to the Board of Directors upon the closing of the transaction. The Lufthansa nominee will be a Class II director and will be up for election at JetBlue's annual meeting in 2008.

``We are very pleased to become an investor in JetBlue,'' said Lufthansa Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Mayrhuber. ``Our investment reflects the confidence we have in JetBlue's quality, growth potential and management team. This investment presents Lufthansa with a compelling opportunity to invest in the U.S. point-to-point carrier market as the industry continues to evolve. The transaction links two airlines with international reputations for quality, innovation and a service culture.''

``We welcome this significant endorsement of JetBlue's franchise from one of the most respected leaders in global aviation,'' said Dave Barger, JetBlue's CEO. ``The agreement reaffirms our belief in JetBlue's disciplined growth plan and will also improve our balance sheet and give us greater financial flexibility as we move into 2008.''

Both airlines also look forward to exploring potential opportunities for further cooperation for the benefit of their customers. No specific areas of potential cooperation have been agreed upon.

JetBlue shareholder approval is not required in connection with the transaction, which is subject to regulatory review and approval, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.


Note for journalists

JetBlue will conduct an investor conference call today, December 13, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com

Tomorrow, 14 December 2007, 12 hours (CET)

Press conference at the Lufthansa Aviation Center (http://lac.lufthansa.com/de/index.php), Airportring, at Frankfurt Airport with Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Lufthansa CFO Stephan Gemkow and Dave Barger JetBlue-CEO;


The press conference will be available on the internet: click http://www.lufthansa.com/group

 

[tahitigirl]

I don't get why Lufthansa would want to invest into Jetblue or any US airline. Does this mean Jetblue will now join the Star Alliance and if so don't they have to have first class?

 

[US1YFARE]

if so don't they have to have first class?

Like what US offers is anything close to a real FC product...at least jb provides what they advertise