Flight International online news 14:30GMT: America West Airlines and US Airways today finalized their merger and began operating as one carrier under the US Airways banner.
The combined airline also today began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘LCC’.
America West and US Airways say they will maintain separate operating certificates for about two to three years until the necessary US FAA approvals to combine certificates are granted. Their individual websites and reservation systems will continue to operate separately in the short-term.
Post-merger US Airways will operate low-cost service to more than 225 destinations including Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Mexico from hubs in Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia and Phoenix, and focus cities in Boston; Las Vegas; New York LaGuardia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Washington National.
“Today we start a new chapter in aviation history,” says US Airways chief executive Doug Parker in a statement. “Our business model will enable us to compete aggressively with any airline, legacy or low-cost, in terms of reliability, amenities and affordability.”
KERRY EZARD/WASHINGTON
Source: Flight International
