VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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IN BUSINESS NOT A WINDFALL FOR LONGORIA BESO, FROM PAGE 11 the 100 percent owner and manager. But, Longoria will hold a 30 percent stake in a newly formed entity "that will have the right to use the Beso assets," the sales motion filed in court says. Landry's will hold 50 percent of this entity and—at the insistence of Longoria—Beso investor Jonas Lowrance will hold 20 percent. In addition, Landry's will indemnify the popular television actress for legal troubles arising from her involvement with the business, including covering up to $500,000 in her legal fees in pending lawsuits pitting Beso investors against each other. An indemnification agreement signed by Longoria says that should Landry's Beso subsidiary have to pay judgments or damages against Longoria, those payments could reduce her equity stake in the new entity—but in no event will her stake fall below ten percent. The deal doesn't appear to be a windfall for Longoria. Records indicate she stands to lose most—if not all—of her $1.375 million investment in the bankrupt business that currently amounts to 32 percent ownership. With just $1 million to distribute to creditors from the proposed sale, landlord Crystals shopping center at CityCenter is scheduled to receive $300,000, the Nevada Department of Taxation will receive about $492,000 for unpaid sales taxes, and Beso's bankruptcy attorneys will have a claim of about $100,000. With Beso behind in rent to the tune of $3.575 million, CityCenter for months has had the right to evict Beso and seize its tenant improvements. SOUTHWEST PLANNING TO TAKE ON DELTA IN ATLANTA MARKET SOUTHWEST, FROM PAGE 11 Airport, beginning February 12. Southwest likely will offer connecting flights from Las Vegas through those airports since it didn't make the first cut for nonstops. Southwest has made no secret of its plans to enter the Atlanta market and going head–to–head with airline behemoth Delta, which is headquartered there. Entering the market became clear when Southwest announced the acquisition of AirTran, the No. 2 player in the Atlanta market just behind Delta. Kelly was one of the speakers at the Boyd conference, which was attended by 300 airline, airport and aircraft manufacturing experts. Kelly offered an update on the airline's planned growth initiatives, which he discussed this month in an PROJECT CREATING 1,400 JOBS At its peak, the project will employ SOLAR, FROM PAGE 11 about 1,400 construction workers such as carpenters, desert biologists, engineers and others. The project has three plants that will provide 392 megawatts of solar power. BrightSource has signed contracts with PG&E and Southern California Edison to provide solar power to California customers. The facility, funded by a $1.6 billion loan guarantee from the Energy Department, has $300 million invested by NRG and $168 million by Google. The project will reportedly have 340,000 mirrors that measure seven feet by ten feet. The mirrors are being interview with VEGAS INC. Southwest's growth is centered manufactured at the site. BrightSource has several projects in the planning stages for Southern Nevada, including two north of Las Vegas—one near Coyote Springs, and one near Pahrump. California's energy needs are targeted with this project because the state requires that 33 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2020. The solar power will wholesale for about 33 to 50 percent more than coal sources and about 25 percent more than natural gas sources. Nevada is less aggressive in its clean- power mandates than California, requiring 25 percent renewable energy by 2025. around four initiatives: The upgrade to its Rapid Rewards loyalty program; the completion of the acquisition and integration of AirTran; the acquisition of 175-seat Boeing 737-800 series jets; and upgrading reservation technology in preparation for Southwest flying to new destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and Canada. Kelly was one of several speakers on the first day of the two-day event, speaking after aviation expert Mike Boyd opened the conference by identifying industry trends. Boyd said air travel will grow, but at a slower pace. He said there are several reasons for the slowed growth, including higher ticket prices resulting from escalating fuel costs and business travelers growing increasingly weary of airport delays and security hassles. Several airlines are dropping short-haul routes because business travelers are more inclined to drive to avoid airport snags. Boyd noted that Southwest recently ended its service between Seattle and Spokane, WA. Other highlights: n Boyd and a representative of the oneWorld alliance believe alliance flying with oneWorld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance could become more important on international routes as airlines seek ways to cut costs while moving customers on long flights. Air Berlin, India's Kingfisher Airlines and Malaysia Airlines plan to join oneWorld next year. n The airline with the third-largest fleet in the world is based just more than 100 miles away from Las Vegas. St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Airlines operates more than 700 planes under the SkyWest, Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet brands. It partners with United, Delta and Alaska Airlines and next year will work with US Airways, primarily out of Phoenix. n Canada's WestJet, McCarran's busiest international air carrier, is enthused with the Las Vegas market. "Whenever we need a boost, we just point the plane to Las Vegas," said Duncan Bureau, vice president of sales for WestJet. n China has committed to building 45 airports in the next five years to bring the total to more than 220, investing $232 billion in aviation. n American Airlines is testing technology that would give automatic alerts to passengers whose bags didn't make it on their flights. | 5 SEPTEMBER 2011 | 13

