America West merges with US Airways and operate as one company
America West and US Airways, the fifth largest airline in the U.S. in domestic capacity, finalized their merger and begin operating as a single carrier.
Customers should continue to book directly with US Airways or America West as they did before the merger. The airlines´ Web sites will operate separately in the short term, as will the two airlines´ reservations systems. The new US Airways, which begins trading 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 the opening bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. “Today we start a new chapter in aviation history,” said Parker.
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, but it grew rapidly, and by 1990, was the first airline formed since industry deregulation to achieve major-airline status. US Airways, for its part, began operations in 1939 as All American Aviation, bringing the first airmail service to many small communities in Western Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley.
