With all the mergers lately some are saying the industry is done consolidating but I think further consolidation is likely to occur. Is there any speculations regarding niche market airlines such as Allegiant, Sun Country, or Miami Air International?

What about other major airlines such as Alaska merging with Southwest? Or maybe a merger between any of these airlines: Frontier, Virgin, Spirit, and JetBlue.

Who could or would want Hawaiian?

A US airline who wanted to grow in Asia may benefit from a Hawaiian merger.

Well that narrows it down

I think that Delta will go after Alaska.

Do you think regulators will allow Delta to acquire another airline? I don't see it, but I'm just a pilot.

-I could see Alaska as being a viable target for either Delta or Southwest.
-Hawaiian would fit nicely with United.
-Allegiant is so cost sensitive that I cant see them doing well with a merger, nor do they really have direct competition since their business model is different from traditional airlines.
-Sun Country and Frontier have limited futures, in my opinion. Spirit will grow their nomadic way of life moving from hub to hub when competition heats up, opening and closing markets at a whim.
-Jetblue will fill the holes created by larger carriers reducing capacity through mergers (AA/US) and stands to gain from slot divestitures (DCA). Virgin could go either way, and lately have been getting more aggressive with their route planning. I'm not counting them out yet. Over time I could see a Jetblue/Virgin merger.

Seems to me the next big mergers will be on the regional side. I've been told by some that the sale of Frontier by Republic is going to the new American and that Eagle will be sold to Republic. Now that of course is strictly unsubstantiated rumor but it does seem to make sense.

I don't think Parker has positive plans for Eagle. With them suing over the Ejets it seems they may be digging their own grave.

Alaska and SWA. Same equipment...low maintenance cost. SWA dumps or returns the Boeing 717's. It's a forgone conclusion. JMO though.



atp