Aloha back from the dead?

If any of you actually care what is going on in the aviation industry, read on. For those who fall asleep at the first mention of an airplane, airport, or the sort, you are excused.

Mesa started 'go!' airlines as a inter-island Hawaiian carrier to compete with the legacy of Hawaiian Airlines, and Aloha Airlines, both of which have been around for decades and are considered part of the Hawaiian tradition. That was of course until we came in. We brought in newer jets (as both others were using a lot of prop planes) and the lowest fares possible. There were some cases where go! was charging as low as $1 - $9 dollars each way. Now of course we were losing the shirts off our backs doing it, but we were trying to break into the market, and that we did. Within 6 months we had higher load capacities than the other two combined. Then the news that the 65 year old Aloha Airlines was shutting its doors. Combined with the high fuel prices and competing with us, they are out.

Mesa started celebrating, but the Champagne was cracked open a little early. Even though it sounded like great news, as more passengers were now going to be turning to us, the lawyers got involved. Hawaiian sued us for poor business practices as well as other things, and were asking for 98 million dollars. Aloha's creditors were now also suing us for an undisclosed amount. Who knew that even when a company no longer exists, it can still sue. Only in America! Anyway, we settled Hawaiian's lawsuit for $50+ million. That hurt us bad, and with the Aloha lawsuit pending, Mesa was looking at bankruptcy also. Ironic huh, that we go bankrupt putting another company out of business? Then late last week comes the news that we have settled the lawsuit with Aloha. A mere $2 million, plus a 10% stock options and we are done. What's more they are allowing us to buy the Aloha Certificate from them as well. That means that we are going to be allowed to fly under the Aloha name. We are bringing back the Hawaiian legacy.

Although I find the terms fairly odd, it will help Mesa tons. Our stock has already risen over 140% in the last two days of trading. Not too bad. (of course keep in mind our stock was in the 15 cent range, so that much of an increase is not too hard!)

So hopefully Mesa will survive the year, and next year too. Keep your fingers crossed! Oh, and anyone with a few hundred thousand dollars sitting around who would like to buy a crap load of stock? Mesa could really use the money!