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Reorganized US Airways Group, Inc.Complete Merger With America West Airlines
• Merger Creates Nation’s Fifth Largest Domestic Airline
• Customer Benefits Include Domestic and International Routes, Low Fares, Full Service
• Company Begins Trading on the New York Stock Exchange Under the LCC Symbol
PHOENIX, Sept. 27, 2005 -- US Airways Group, Inc., (NYSE: LCC), effective today, has finalized its transaction enabling America West and US Airways to begin operating as one carrier – US Airways. Customers should continue to book directly with US Airways or America West as they did before the merger. The airlines’ Web sites, www.americawest.com and www.usairways.com, will operate separately in the short term, as will the two airlines’ reservations systems.
The new US Airways, which begins trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the LCC symbol, represents the nation's largest full-service, low-cost, low-fare airline. Company officials and representatives from the airline’s labor groups join US Airways Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker at today’s opening bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange.
"Today we start a new chapter in aviation history," said Parker. "The new US Airways combines our airlines’ proud heritage with our employees’ passionate commitment to provide our customers with friendly service and low fares. This is a great day for the employees of America West and US Airways as well as for the people in the hundreds of communities we serve."
Benefits of the America West/US Airways merger include:
• Single-branded product offering everyday, simple low fares and a network of choices for travel to more than 225 destinations worldwide, including Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and, in the near future, Hawaii. US Airways will continue to operate hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Phoenix and Philadelphia, with secondary hub/focus cities in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York (LaGuardia) and Washington (Ronald Reagan National Airport). In addition, two wholly owned subsidiaries operating as US Airways Express will continue to provide additional service to an expansive network.
• Extensive Dividend Miles frequent flyer program with the ability to earn and redeem miles for travel in destinations throughout the globe. Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits will begin on Oct. 5, 2005.
• First class cabins on both domestic and international flights, with advance seating assignments and in-flight amenities that include audio and video entertainment selections.
• Hourly US Airways Shuttle service between Boston, New York and Washington.
• Participation in the Star Alliance, the first truly global airline alliance comprising 16 of the world’s most prominent airlines. Overall, the Star member carriers offer more than 15,000 daily flights to 795 destinations in 139 countries. Star Alliance benefits will be phased in over the next six months.
• 17 US Airways Clubs, providing a quiet and comfortable place to work or relax with personal travel assistance from professional Club representatives.
• Financial strength with more than $2.5 billion in restricted and unrestricted cash.
• Nearly 38,000 employees dedicated to service excellence.
"We are confident that the enthusiasm and professionalism of our employees, combined with the experienced leadership team we have selected to run the new airline will give us greater financial stability and competitive strength in the marketplace," continued Parker. "Our business model will enable us to compete aggressively with any airline, legacy or low-cost, in terms of reliability, amenities and affordability."
While the merged airline will operate under the US Airways name, America West and US Airways will maintain separate operating certificates for approximately two to three years. Once FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approvals have been granted, the two airlines’ operating certificates will be combined onto one.
America West Airlines initiated service in 1983 with three aircraft and 280 employees. America West grew rapidly, and by 1990, was the first airline formed since industry deregulation to achieve major-airline status. America West served 94 destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica with more than 900 daily departures.
US Airways began operations in 1939 as All American Aviation, bringing the first airmail service to many small communities in Western Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley. Its history includes mergers with North Carolina’s Piedmont Airlines, California’s PSA Airlines, and now Arizona’s America West Airlines. Prior to the merger, US Airways operated approximately 3,300 daily flights to 183 communities in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
US Airways and America West have joined together to create the fifth largest domestic airline employing nearly 38,000 aviation professionals. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at www.usairways.com or www.americawest.com.
US Airways is a member of the Star Alliance, which was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The other members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will be integrated during the course of the next 12 months. Overall, the member carriers offer more than 15,000 daily flights to 795 destinations in 139 countries.
Copyright Freesun 2005