AFAIK, World does not need to base anyone over there. Crews fly Houston-Luanda, stay with the airplane, and bring it back. An overseas base would cost more and likely be a political and security nightmare.

Not arguing what would make the most sense operationally, just stating how the company may try using Angolan pilots if the deal is predicated on using them and how it could be worked under the current Atlas union contract. They could just open Luanda as a F/O only base and I seriously doubt anyone in the U.S. would be interested in bidding over there including furloughed guys. Logistics of the heavy crewing could still be done in a similar way as Intruder mentioned. The F/O's get traded out on a different end to comply with the Angolan employment thing of the contract. Not very efficient I grant but if it gets the contract I can see Atlas doing it without a second thought.

I can't see it. There is no way you can integrate Angolan Pilots into your cockpit. They would have to have some "Super Seniority" because they could only fly the Angolan route, special rights when furloughing, etc. But not only is there the Seniority issue but having foreign workers occupying positions that should be positioned by American Pilots is going to be a show stopper by your Local.

I don't know anything, ok?

But I *think* there might be a question about semantics here.

The statement in bold could be read two different ways.

1) Flight deck crew members are "integrated"--or mixed--as well as cabin crews.

Or...

2) Atlas flight deck crews working with Angolan flight attendants.

I'm no linguist (and apparently neither is the original writer of the memo), but I think #2 is what was meant.

To put a finer point on it: World already has their own cabin crews so it's logical they would have more resistance in that "dept".

But for Atlas, it's easier to "integrate" THEIR cabin crews with OUR flight deck crews.

Just my opinion.
:8

That would certainly be the "glass half full" interpretation. However, it doesn't quite support the idea of Sonair evolving this into their own operation in a couple years...

Maybe we'll know May 31 or June 1...

Right.

Besides, it's smarter to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

As they say, watch what they DO not what they SAY.

:ok:

Where did you hear the number "6"?

Be VERYcareful what you post on this subject! Read the last part of your email. This is a PUBLIC internet site!

:=

And by the way it is 2 a/c not 6 and your January date is also questionable!

FR8

Sounds like a done deal
 

PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) (Nasdaq: AAWW - News), a leading provider of global outsourced aircraft services, announced today that its Atlas Air unit has been selected to operate an outsourced premium passenger private charter service for the U.S.-Africa Energy Association (USAEA). The Agreement to operate the charter was reached with SonAir - Serviço Aéreo, S.A. (SonAir), acting as agent for the USAEA.

Atlas will operate the charter service with two newly customized Boeing 747-400 aircraft provided by SonAir’s parent company, which are being reconfigured into largely business and executive class configuration. The charter service, which has become known as the “Houston Express,” includes three dedicated weekly non-stop flights between Houston and Luanda, Angola. While it is not open to the public, it provides USAEA members with a premium non-stop transportation link to support complex long-term projects in the West African energy sector.

The parties have structured the long-term commercial arrangement in a manner consistent with the outsourcing business model under which Atlas Air typically operates. Under that model, Atlas Air receives contractually determined revenues for the operation of the aircraft, with the customer assuming responsibility for passenger revenue and certain direct costs, including fuel.

“Atlas Air, Inc. is proud and honored to have been selected to operate these newly customized Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft,” said William J. Flynn, President & CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. “Our dedication to our customers and record of reliability and operational excellence as the largest Boeing 747-400 freighter provider in the world have set the stage for this next and important step for our company into outsourced, charter passenger service. We look forward to working closely and cooperatively with SonAir to make the Houston Express a world-class service.”

SonAir is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonangol Group, the multinational energy company of Angola and a member of the USAEA. USAEA’s members include many of the leading U.S. energy companies involved in the exploration and development of petroleum resources in West Africa.

About Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

AAWW is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas) and Titan Aviation Leasing Limited (Titan), and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). Through Atlas and Polar, AAWW operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.

Atlas, Titan and Polar offer a range of services that include ACMI aircraft leasing – in which customers receive a dedicated aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a long-term lease basis – express network and scheduled air cargo service, military charters, commercial cargo charters, and dry leasing of aircraft and engines.

AAWW’s press releases, SEC filings and other information can be accessed through the Company’s home page, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings.

Passengers on the new tanker, followed by World's current AMC passenger charter service for the Air Force.

If the Hajj makes money, then from a business perspective you have to try it. Cargo revenues down, diversify to please shareholders.

Actually, doing AMC and Hajj charters would actually bring in some $$$$
in a period when cargo revenues are severely down. Once the PAX B744s get
on the certificate, its only a matter of allocating the resources. I see the
first plane left the desert the other day. Heard through the grapevine its
supposed to be on property in December with a very generous seating layout,
only 184 seats. Should make for a very nice flight, lots of room to stretch out for the SLF.

Not a normal hadjj layout...

No, not for Hajj. That is the config for the SONAIR flights. If it was Hajj, you
would be looking at probably 584

"Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings had a spectacular third quarter, showing a 181% jump in profits despite a 45% decline in revenue from a year ago in a report released Oct. 26." . . . . WTF??

Air Freight Companies: Cleared for Takeoff? - BusinessWeek

They fully implemented the DHL schedule in Q4 (late Oct) last year, so this is the last full quarter of comparisons with the perennially money-losing Polar "Scheduled Service." Fuel exposure is significantly reduced and significant revenue from DHL is guaranteed.

I guess with atlas flying the old perennial money losing polar routes,,,,theyre now making money? think its the other way around...

Oh here we go again. :ugh:

You guys just can't let go can you?