Polar/atlas

[joetommy]

I heard Atlas and Polar are merging. What's the latest?

[we_never_change]

Polar is already a subsidary of Atlas so presumably wouldn't cause that many problems to merge the two entities together.

However, Atlas do seem to be having a couple of problems at the mo, I understand that they had two B747s (N354MC & N535MC) repossessed by the lessor recently

WNC

[411A]

The end is rather near for Atlas, unless they pull up their socks.
Polar may be sold.

[we_never_change]

Does any of Atlas' woes affect the British compant Global Supply Systems as they have three B744Fs currently leased from Atlas which operate for BA Cargo out of Stansted

WNC

[atlast]

Where to start.... (all public knowledge) the 300's were returned during bankruptcy when the lessors would not lower the lease rates. Polar has just re-activated a 100 and Atlas is hiring starting Jan 1st. For once, things look good but I guess you never know!

[an-124]

411A
Please expand on your comments.


*************************
The end is rather near for Atlas, unless they pull up their socks.
Polar may be sold.
*************************

411A - want to give you the bnefit of the doubt.....
I am genuinely interested to hear any news concerning this. Are you basing your comments on any facts, or is it just your usual crap?

[Heilhaavir]

Not all 300s were returned, 355MC is still operated by Polar.

354MC (300) & 535MC (200) are supposed to be going to a new startup, FOCUS AIR (new competitor for Atlas??)....... 354MC is in AMS right now undergoing a heavy check through KLM, should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Anybody know where 24837 (the other 300) went??

Pat

411A, and who would be interested in purchasing Polar??

[411A]

Sorry an-124, but the facts are thus:

Atlas is its own worst enemy.
It operates ACMI and Polar operates right along side, and quite a few customers of Atlas are not at all pleased.

Some Atlas ACMI customers feel that Atlas is undercutting their cargo service with Polar...oftentimes right along side at the same airport.

I didn't realise the animosity caused until a recent business meeting and heard complaints first hand.
Of course it might be worked out, but the folks I know (all very knowledgeable in freight) are betting otherwise.

[ALLDAYDELI]

Elaborate on FOCUS AIR.
Tradewinds took a couple of ex-PO -200Fs recently, is it these people that might get the -300 and -200 as above?
Never heard of Focus.

[acmi48]

747 300-249 SNR 24387 IS REG AS TFARY -BELONGING TO AAI OPERATING FOR CLX ..........................

[411A]

< Never heard of Focus >

No, don't expect you have, but those in the industry have...and I don't refer to the flight deck either.

Several other companies out there as well under formation, with potential results that might be surprising....

[Heilhaavir]

ALLDAY,

Tradewinds isn't a startup, they have been around for a while, they just added an aircraft type with 922FT, 923FT, and 524UP (all pratts) that PO had given back.

FOCUS is a proposed ACMI startup with headquarters in FLL (i think), still working on certificate. 354MC is in AMS going through a heavy check and should be ready by the first week of Dec. 535MC is still in the States and will undergo a heavy check in AMS as soon as 354 is ready. Both airplanes are going to FOCUS.

FOCUS should be ready to go by the beginning of next year and will most probably compete directly with ATLAS using the latter's ex-airplanes at a cheaper rate........ expect to see more "MC" airplanes showing up over there... At the moment they are only interviewing for management positions.

Sorry that's all the info I have for now, hope this helps.

L8

[we_never_change]

There is a plan for B742 N535MC to fly KDFW-EHAM today (21/11), registration as callsign. Operator on FPL given as:

CARGO AIRCRAFT LLC
750 SW 34TH ST STE 201
FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA

WNC

[Heilhaavir]

That's great news, they're right on schedule :)

[Dog Driver]

Does anyone have anymore information about the 'Focus' start-up in Fort Lauderdale ?

[Hangin' on]

Wasn't there some deluded guy trying to resurrect a bunch of tatty old TriStars, crew them with desperate guys from the third world at slave labor wages and conditions, then try to compete with all the companies whose management and crews he slags off.............now what was his name...........:ouch:

[AirYard]

Agree with 411A.


Atlas and Polar operate in conflicting markets.
Both operate under the umbrella of Atlas Air world wide holdings but Atlas is soley charter & ACMI, while Polar is solely schedule.

The problem being that ACMI customers don't like Polar flying near there routes and this can affect the ACMI contracts (emirates?).


Another conflict and rumour, is that because of the upturn in Military charters, Atlas will be "borowing" some of it's sister companies aircraft for charter runs. Leaving Polar with cancelled flights!.

heard they will go down to possibly 7 in their new AMS base!.

obviously trying to make the most money out of the situation, but how do you re-instate those flights at a later date when the charter work dries up and your clients using the scheduled freighters have gone somewhere else!.

[cactusbusdrvr]

I was told by a former Polar buddy of mine that Polar was kept separate because they held the China slot rights that could not be transferred to Atlas as well as the South American route authorities.

The pilot contracts were quite different, too, but I'm sure they are a lot closer now. So it looks like an already low cost carrier is going to be undercut by another low rent outfit from cockroach corner in Miami. Pretty sad for this industry. I'm glad to be out of freight right now. (although boxes don't b##ch.)

[AirYard]

Well one of the main reasons Polar was bought, was because they held rights into NRT.


But saying all that, hope they both do well, especially Atlas. Plus glad to see they have started putting their problem livery back on their A/c