US Airways will launch its new low cost airline, dubbed MetroJet, on 1 June, with service from Baltimore, Maryland, to four cities in the eastern USA.
MetroJet, which had been known as US2, will initially connect the Baltimore hub to Cleveland, Ohio, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Manchester, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island.
Five Boeing 737-200s will initially be used, although the fleet could grow to 20 aircraft by the end of the year and could total 54 in the launch phase. The division will compete with Southwest Airlines and Delta Express.
US Airways is to retire $379 million in debt, and buy back as much as $500 million in common stock, as well as $358 million in preferred stock held by billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Source: Flight International
