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?

Aren't the SONAIR F/As locals? Wouldn't it be a matter of remove and replace airframe? Just teach them where all the extra doors are. Atlas's new VP of somethingorother is from NW so I'd think he speaks PAX.

The Atlas/Polar merger has a long way to go, starting another merger before the first one is done would be 'interesting.'

If the 744's have GE's hanging on them, it could work. We're looking for a few -400's to be able to park our classics.

It appears that Sonair will be providing the FA's. There will just be a differences training in MIA for them.

If AAWW (Atlas World Wide Holdings) bought World, they would be operated separately for a while, so a pilot merger would be down the road. We have to see how the FAA deals with the current merger of Atlas and Polar pilots. AAWW wants it to be a package where a pilot for the combined list could fly a Polar plane one day, then an Atlas plane the next. Not sure if the FAA will buy off on that.

The rumor at Atlas is, they chased the Sonair deal so they could get the experience square filled to make AMC pax service an option down the road.

A contact I have at AMC, says Atlas has a VERY good rep there, and may be able to make that work on the Pax side.

The only thing that lends credence to any merger rumors is the request by the company to the pilots at World to accept a contract extension. World's major asset is it's AMC pax business, not so much the cargo although that may change somewhat when the new contract comes out in Oct. Speaking of AMC contracts don't we normally get some info in June on the teaming arrangements?

There is also the issue of what happens to North American. Since any deal would have to be done with GAH that's a consideration. Of course, if AMC pax work is what drives a deal then NA might be part of a package deal since they do a lot of AMC business too.

The Polar/Atlas merger ruined mergers for Atlas for ever.

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.

Would the merger even work? I thought DHL holds a huge stake in Polar...

49%, no voting rights. Should not have any affect on merging the two groups. If I'm mistaken, maybe a Polar type can set me straight.

Actually to be more accurate, they have a 24.9% voting right. Just like with Astar. Not enough to be in control of course, but when you have all the bananas, and your airline wants some bananas, well......

SO...DHL holds 24.9% or 49%?