Southwest Airlines submits bid to acquire Frontier Airlines
In its press release, Southwest Airlines officially put a bid of more than $170 million to acquire Frontier Airlines.
Over the next week, Southwest will discuss its offer with the various interested parties. The auction is expected to commence on Thursday, Aug. 13. Once the auction is concluded, the bankruptcy court must still approve the selection of the winning bidder. From there, the bid will undergo review by the United States Department of Justice, which is normal and customary when one airline is purchasing another.
CEO Gary Kelly also put out a memo to its employees.
We believe Southwest’s bid represents the best possible longterm scenario for Frontier, its Employees, and the Denver traveling public. Southwest brings to the table the most consistently profitable airline in commercial aviation history, the best Customer Service record in the industry (as repeatedly determined by the Department of Transportation), an Employee-centric Culture, and low fares. If we are successful in our bid, Southwest will offer a financially stable, Customer friendly, low fare alternative to the dominant carrier in Denver into the future.
Southwest’s blogger has also posted the conference call between the management team and the press regarding the bid. You can listen to it here (mp3).
Hotel32 at Monte Carlo opens for guests
For a few months, the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas has been hinting that it would be opening a boutique hotel. On Monday, it has opened Hotel32.
The name comes from the fact that the suites and amenities that comprise this new venture are centered around the Monte Carlo’s 32nd floor.
According to the press release, Hotel32 is a place “where everyone is a VIP” so the stay starts with limo pick-up at the airport.
Crowds swarm Rivers Casino for its opening day
Trying to bring a touch of Las Vegas to those that can’t make it, the River Casino in Pittsburgh opened its doors on Sunday.
If there was any doubt about the city’s appetite for slots, it was all but dispelled by early afternoon, as customers huddled around many of the casino’s 3,000 machines, nearly filled the 3,800-space parking garage and endured long lines that snaked around the gambling floor to sign up for players cards.
For the most part, the North Shore riverfront venue seemed to be an instant hit. If visitors weren’t playing, they appeared to be eating, crowding several of the casino’s restaurants, including its all-you-can-eat buffet.
