Airline Finance News - North America

AirGuide Business, July 7, 2008

Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines flew 7.26 billion consolidated RPMs in June, up 4.4% year-over-year. Capacity climbed 5.9% to 8.37 billion ASMs and load factor dropped 1.2 points to 86.8%. 7/4/2008

Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines

Northwest Airlines pilots will receive nearly a 2.4% equity stake in Delta Air Lines under a joint contract agreement that will go into effect when the two companies combine. Pilots will also receive compounded raises of more than 18% over four years under the agreement. 7/2/2008

NWA WorldVacations

NWA WorldVacations reports that they[sup.1]re the only company that has unlimited access to seats on Northwest Airlines as well as access to seats on SkyTeam partner carriers, giving travelers the greatest options and flexibility in their travel planning. 7/2/2008

Republic Airways

Republic Airways Holdings carriers flew 989 million RPMs in May, up 21.7% year-over-year, against a 21.6% increase in capacity to 1.17 billion ASMs. Load factor was level at 76.8%. 6/30/2008

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines flew 6.88 billion RPMs in June, up 0.7% year-over-year, against a 5.7% increase in capacity to 8.8 billion ASMs. Load factor fell 3.9 points to 78.2%. 7/3/2008

Southwest Airlines

Hedging allows airlines to protect themselves against future increases in the price of oil. Southwest Airlines has the industry's most aggressive hedging program. The program has saved the carrier $3.5 billion since 1999. 7/2/2008

United Airlines

United Airlines flew 10.34 billion system RPMs in June, a 3.6% decrease from the year-ago month. Capacity fell 0.6% to 11.97 billion ASMs and load factor was down 2.6 points to 86.5%. 7/4/2008

United Airlines

United Airlines hopes snack sales will help it generate $1 billion in additional revenue. The airline will sell jumbo-sized snacks for $3, and it is raising prices for alcoholic beverages. 7/3/2008

United Airlines

United Airlines' pilot Todd Coomans has yet to fully recover from a painful layoff five years ago that set his airline career back several years and, along the way, also cost him his marriage. Now the 46-year-old first officer, who returned to United just a year and a half ago, is bracing for another layoff. And this time he thinks the prospects are even worse." I can't believe I'm going through it again," said Coomans, who now may look for work in China. Coomans and his colleagues are not alone. 7/3/2008

United Airlines, Continental Airlines

United Airlines and Continental Airlines pilots yesterday released a joint statement in which they pledged to "align efforts" as the carriers move toward implementing an operating alliance. United and Continental decided against a merger but instead have announced plans "to cooperate extensively, linking their networks and services worldwide". Both pilot groups are represented by the Air Line Pilots Assn. United and Delta Air Lines attempted to form an extensive cooperation agreement in 1998 but the deal died in the face of strong ALPA opposition. 7/3/2008

Virgin America