AFA tentative agreement balloting closes today at 4:00 p.m. The AFA uses BallotPoint and the electronic voting results will be available shortly thereafter. Union leaders have told the news media they expect the agreement to be passed by a majority of its members.
According to today’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “Aircraft makers Embraer and Bombardier have reached new agreements with US Airways to finance the purchase of six new regional jets while the airline is still in bankruptcy. US Airways spokesman Amy Kudwa said, ‘This is another indication that (both of) our (RJ) business partners have confidence in our restructuring efforts.’ The agreements are separate from a large order US Airways placed with both manufacturers in the spring of 2003,†the newspaper reported. This is a key development for US Airways group and both PSA and MDA, with the new 70 or 90 seat jets used to backfill ASM’s lost with the GE deal. The new agreement raises the number to three key creditors who are supporting the new business plan with additional financing while the airline operates in bankruptcy.
US Airways announced today that January bookings are ahead of last year's pace.
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Last night Reuters reported US Airways will try to short circuit any attempt by machinists to strike, by filing an injunction, if a federal court allows the carrier to throw out their contract, a senior company official said on Tuesday. The executive, who spoke on the condition he not be named, said the airline will ask a Virginia bankruptcy judge to prohibit a walkout (on Thursday). The company believes a strike over the contract would violate US labor law.†A spokesman for theIAM, Frank Larkin, said on Tuesday the group was still trying to negotiate concessions even though the situation was not promising. He played down talk of a strike. "You don't want to scare passengers away, or misinform employees about our intentions," Larkin said. "Our goal is to reach an agreement to be ratified. It's not unusual for difficult negotiations to go down to the wire." Creditors, vendors and lenders, which include the government, are demanding that the airline secure the labor concessions immediately to obtain new savings on aircraft leases, debt and other operating costs.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also reported Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Gov. Ed Rendell will talk to US Airways Chief Executive Officer Bruce Lakefield this week as part of their bid to keep the airline's reservations center in the Pittsburgh area. US Airways is planning to close either the Greentree center or one in Winston-Salem, N.C., as part of a consolidation plan. Politicians and economic development officials in North Carolina and Pennsylvania have been working to keep those jobs in their respective states. The two officials also are trying to keep US Airways maintenance facilities in Pittsburgh, as well. The airline has indicated in bankruptcy documents that it intends to close one of its centers -- the other is in Charlotte, N.C. -- to save $40 million a year.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
According to today’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “Aircraft makers Embraer and Bombardier have reached new agreements with US Airways to finance the purchase of six new regional jets while the airline is still in bankruptcy. US Airways spokesman Amy Kudwa said, ‘This is another indication that (both of) our (RJ) business partners have confidence in our restructuring efforts.’ The agreements are separate from a large order US Airways placed with both manufacturers in the spring of 2003,†the newspaper reported. This is a key development for US Airways group and both PSA and MDA, with the new 70 or 90 seat jets used to backfill ASM’s lost with the GE deal. The new agreement raises the number to three key creditors who are supporting the new business plan with additional financing while the airline operates in bankruptcy.
US Airways announced today that January bookings are ahead of last year's pace.
See Story
Last night Reuters reported US Airways will try to short circuit any attempt by machinists to strike, by filing an injunction, if a federal court allows the carrier to throw out their contract, a senior company official said on Tuesday. The executive, who spoke on the condition he not be named, said the airline will ask a Virginia bankruptcy judge to prohibit a walkout (on Thursday). The company believes a strike over the contract would violate US labor law.†A spokesman for theIAM, Frank Larkin, said on Tuesday the group was still trying to negotiate concessions even though the situation was not promising. He played down talk of a strike. "You don't want to scare passengers away, or misinform employees about our intentions," Larkin said. "Our goal is to reach an agreement to be ratified. It's not unusual for difficult negotiations to go down to the wire." Creditors, vendors and lenders, which include the government, are demanding that the airline secure the labor concessions immediately to obtain new savings on aircraft leases, debt and other operating costs.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also reported Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Gov. Ed Rendell will talk to US Airways Chief Executive Officer Bruce Lakefield this week as part of their bid to keep the airline's reservations center in the Pittsburgh area. US Airways is planning to close either the Greentree center or one in Winston-Salem, N.C., as part of a consolidation plan. Politicians and economic development officials in North Carolina and Pennsylvania have been working to keep those jobs in their respective states. The two officials also are trying to keep US Airways maintenance facilities in Pittsburgh, as well. The airline has indicated in bankruptcy documents that it intends to close one of its centers -- the other is in Charlotte, N.C. -- to save $40 million a year.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
Let the Feds know they will have to add a few more lines to their hotline call center!!! Good luck to all!!!!!
Ouch! That's some pricey financing. Guess that's what a couple of bankruptcies will do for you.
