US Airways has decided to slow the growth rate of its low-cost MetroJet operation until after next summer because of a shortage of Boeing 737-200s.
MetroJet operates 41 118-seat 737-200s and serves 23 cities with 230 daily departures. By October, the airline will add two 737s, and serve 24 cities, with 248 daily departures. The airline's fleet has grown rapidly since launch in June last year as aircraft have been transferred from its parent's fleet of 64 737-200s. The fleet size cannot go beyond 54 aircraft - the limit set in the Air Line Pilots Association contract with US Airways.
US Airways says a dearth of available 737-200s has forced it to suspend plans to serve new markets. MetroJet is delaying start-up on the Washington Dulles-Birmingham, Alabama route, and the Atlanta-Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina route. Fort Myers, Florida-Boston, which was due to start on 6 August, was not launched, while plans to initiate a Fort Myers-Washington Dulles service in September are on hold.
Source: Flight International
