AMERICA WEST Airlines plans substantial growth at its Phoenix and Las Vegas hubs over the next two years. The airline plans to increase capacity by 29% and departures by 17%, and to add at least eight cities to its route network.
America West says that it plans to add around ten aircraft to its 91-strong fleet during 1996. "Aircraft added...will be consistent with models currently operated," the airline says. The carrier operates Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s and 757s. The new aircraft will be leased. "We intend to maintain a flexible fleet plan in the event of an unforeseen deterioration in market conditions," the airline says.
America West says that its Phoenix hub is undersized, having been shrunk by 11% during the airline's financial restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Departures will be increased from 173 to 204 by September 1997. Non-stop destinations will be increased from 43 to at least 51, more than twice the number served by its nearest competitor, it says.
Source: Flight International
