Republic Takes Frontier after Pilot Impasse Kills SWA Deal
Michael Fabey, Travel Weekly, 8/13/2009 (excerpted)
The inability of Southwest and Frontier pilots to work out seniority differences killed Southwest's $170 million bid to buy the Denver-based airline and lead it out of bankruptcy.
Instead, Republic Airways Holdings won the right to buy Frontier for $108.8 million at Thursday's bankruptcy auction.
Frontier and regional operation Lynx Aviation will be run as wholly owned subsidiaries, Republic said.
Republic recently completed an acquisition of Midwest Airlines. Now with Frontier in its stable, the Republic is bigger than AirTran, using available seat miles as a yardstick.
It's a new ball game for the Indianapolis-based company, which until now had focused mainly on running regional air service for major airlines.
Through subsidiaries Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, Republic provides planes and crews to major airlines to schedule, book and market under their own regional brands, including AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, Midwest Connect, United Express and US Airways Express.
Republic's crews now operate 1,200 flights daily to 99 cities in 34 states, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica.
BA Extends Loyalty Scheme to Cheapest Fares
eyefortravel.com, 8/24/2009 (excerpted)
British Airways has reportedly decided to offer elite membership of its Executive Club even to those buying discounted economy tickets.
The airline, according to The Telegraph, has chosen to go ahead with this move to prevent it from losing Gold and Silver cardholders. Until now, only first, business or expensive flexible economy tickets counted towards Silver membership which gives access to premium check-in and lounge facilities at the airport. The airline will give passengers on cheap fares access to luxury airport lounges and other benefits through its loyalty scheme.
Fuel Surcharges Return
Bev Fearis, Travel Mole, 8/19/2009
Japan Airlines is reinstating its fuel surcharge on all international passenger tickets issued from October 1.
The surcharge for international tickets was removed for tickets issued between July 1 and September 30 when the average price of Singapore kerosene from February to April fell below the $60.00 per barrel benchmark at $55.08 per barrel.
The fuel surcharge for tickets issued from January to March 2010 will be reviewed based on the average price of fuel for August through to October, 2009.