Originally Posted by
F15andMD11
Not to start a rumor but I've been wondering about a possible merger between Atlas and World. Word on the street is Atlas is getting into the PAX business, and will start operating 744s for SONAIR (IAH-LAD) next Spring. That's less than a year to hire and train F/As, rewrite manuals, etc, etc. Things at World hint to something going on too. The company wants to delay negotiations and extend our current contract for two years. Our EXCO can't discuss reasons, but clearly something is up.
A merger would give Atlas immediate PAX capability, increased AMC business and two more 744 cargo birds. Maybe Atlas can operate then, World can't, they're mostly just sitting.
Is this something Atlas can handle, or has the Polar merger ruined mergers for Atlas forever?
Could this extension for negotiations be simply due to the economy? Your conjectures sound plausible. However, I think they're a bit of a stretch.