From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sat Feb 3 00:36:35 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 19:36:35 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] Senators Question US Airways' Pension Policy Message-ID: <20070202193615.Y2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 2 February 2007 ; WSOCTV Senators Question US Airways' Pension Policy http://www.wsoctv.com/news/10915904/detail.html --- WASHINGTON -- If US Airways has the cash to make Delta an offer, why can't it pay for its employees' pensions? That's a question some senators are asking. Five senators are calling for a federal review of US Airways canceled retirement plans. In a letter, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg asks the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), the federal agency that guarantees pensions, to look into restoring US Airway's employee pension plans "in light of the substantially improved financial position of the company." When the PBGC agreed to take over US Airways retirement payments in 2003 and 2005, the airline was trying to get out of bankruptcy. According to Lautenberg's letter, at the time the airline owed its workers $4.8 billion in pension obligations - money that became the PBGC's responsibility. But since then the airline has landed on more solid financial ground. The letter points out that during the first three quarters of 2006, US Airways reported a $292 million profit compared to a $276 million loss for the first three quarters of 2005. Also, the company just tried to buy Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines for $10.2 billion - including $5 billion in cash - an offer US Airways pulled earlier this week after Delta's creditors supported a standalone Delta. The letter calls it "striking that the $5 billion in cash being offered as part of the hostile Delta offer exceeds the full amount of the unfunded liabilities recently transferred to the PBGC." Last week during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the proposed US Airways-Delta merger, Lautenberg asked US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker why his airline cannot use the capital secured to purchase Delta to reinstate its pension programs. Parker told the committee the financing is backed by lenders whose main interest is the Delta deal. In addition to Lautenberg, four other senators have signed onto the letter, including Washington Democrats Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Georgia Republicans Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 6 02:29:36 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 21:29:36 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] What's next for US Airways? Message-ID: <20070205212929.T2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 February 2007 ; Seattle Times What's next for US Airways? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003550461_usairdelta01.html --- By Chris Kahn The Associated Press PHOENIX -- With Delta off its plate, US Airways may go shopping again, given continuing pressure on the industry to consolidate and reduce the number of available airline seats, analysts said. US Airways wouldn't comment about pursuing other deals, now that Delta Air Lines' official creditors committee on Wednesday rejected its $9.8 billion hostile bid. US Airways promptly withdrew its buyout offer. But analysts said CEO Doug Parker is known for aggressively snapping up bankrupt airlines and turning them around. And his recent success with his ongoing combination of America West and the bankrupt former US Airways has given him a lot of currency on Wall Street. "US Airways wants to be a buyer rather than a seller," said Ray Neidl, an airline analyst with Calyon Securities. "It's got a young, aggressive management team. They've done a good job turning around a troubled airline. They've got the confidence of the investment community. They can raise capital for an acquisition." After announcing that US Airways had swung to a $303 million profit in 2006, Parker told reporters Tuesday that the only other viable company to buy this year would be Northwest Airlines, which is set to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by June 30. Parker said bankrupt airlines are particularly attractive because they can get out of expensive contracts and leases and put pressure on unions to renegotiate contracts. "Not until you find airlines in financial distress will you see consolidation happen," Parker said Tuesday. Northwest spokesman Roman Blahoski wouldn't comment Wednesday on whether the carrier has spoken to US Airways about a deal, or whether the airline would be interested in one. On Tuesday, Northwest Chief Executive Doug Steenland said the carrier has no plans to combine with another airline before it emerges from bankruptcy. However, Northwest has hired a consulting firm to help the company deal with any potential offers. Northwest's Association of Flight Attendants spokesman Ricky Thornton said the union would support a US Airways deal if there were promises to benefit employees, and if the combined company were in a better financial position. "A stronger carrier provides greater security for long-term viability of jobs, employment, retirement," Thornton said Wednesday. "Those are wonderful things for our people." Northwest's flight attendants are fighting a proposed 40 percent cut in pay and benefits. Thornton said they're asking an appeals court for the right to strike. Delta's management and pilots union have widely opposed combining with US Airways. The carrier's board of directors had previously rejected an $8 billion cash-and-stock bid that US Airways made in November. But Delta isn't out of the woods yet. Smaller creditors could ultimately vote not to approve Delta's reorganization plan, and some have already filed objections to the disclosure statement to the Delta plan. A Feb. 7 hearing in bankruptcy court in New York is scheduled to discuss the disclosure statement. If the statement related to Delta's operations is approved, Delta could begin soliciting votes for approval of its reorganization plan. Delta hopes to hold a confirmation hearing on its plan in April. US Airways disclosed its initial hostile bid for Delta on Nov. 15. US Airways later raised its bid by nearly 20 percent in hopes of swaying Delta's official committee of unsecured creditors. "Using the bankruptcy process the right way, Delta people have transformed their company's business model," Delta Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein said in a statement. "Our focus now is on the work still before us to emerge from Chapter 11 this spring as a strong, healthy and vibrant global competitor." Shares of US Airways gained $2.88, or 5.4 percent, to close at $55.98 Wednesday. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 6 02:30:57 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 21:30:57 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways drops hostile bid for Delta after failing to win support of creditors Message-ID: <20070205213049.H2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 February 2007 ; International Herald Tribune US Airways drops hostile bid for Delta after failing to win support of creditors http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/31/bloomberg/bxair.php --- By Mary Schlangenstein Bloomberg News DALLAS -- US Airways Group withdrew its hostile $9.75 billion offer for bankrupt Delta Air Lines on Wednesday after creditors endorsed Delta's plan to stay independent. The risks and time required for a successful merger were too great, Delta's official unsecured creditors committee said in a statement. The US Airways chief executive, Doug Parker, had hoped to create the world's largest airline by acquiring Delta while it was still in bankruptcy. The failure of the takeover bid also may delay consolidation in the industry, analysts said. "It will take away one of the factors that might have led other airlines to consider mergers," said Dan Kasper, an airline economist with LECG in Washington. A possible merger between Delta and US Airways spurred talks among other carriers seeking to protect or expand their market share. US Airways, based in Tempe, Arizona, had set Thursday as the deadline for the creditors to act on its cash-and- stock offer. Delta, based in Atlanta, had fought the bid since it was disclosed on Nov. 15, saying that creditors would get a better return if the carrier were allowed to leave bankruptcy as an independent company this year. "Our focus is now on the work still before us to emerge from Chapter 11 this spring as a strong, healthy and vibrant global competitor," the Delta chief executive, Gerald Grinstein, said in a statement. Delta is the third-largest U.S. airline by traffic; US Airways is No. 7. Parker, commenting on the creditors' support for Delta, said it was "clear there will not be an opportunity with the committee to move forward in a timely or productive manner and, as a result, we have withdrawn our offer." Parker said Tuesday that US Airways would not work with an ad hoc group of Delta debt holders to fight for the merger in U.S. Bankruptcy Court without the support of the creditors panel. Spokesmen for the creditors and the bondholders did not immediately return calls seeking comment. "There was too much stacked against it," Ray Neidl, an analyst for Calyon Securities in New York, said of the US Airways bid. "I think US Airways eventually goes after somebody else. They've got an aggressive management team." Shares of US Airways rose $2.88 to close at $55.98 on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Delta fell 8 cents to $1.08 in over-the-counter trading. Parker went public with his original offer after Delta rejected private overtures for a merger. He said combining the carriers would save $1.65 billion annually over two years, a sum that would be cut in half if a merger came outside bankruptcy. Both airlines have networks on the East Coast of the United States, while US Airways also has a West Coast presence. Delta said a merger of the two airlines would have loaded the combined carrier with debt, faced insurmountable antitrust issues, and resulted in job cuts and a loss of flights to smaller cities. On Dec. 19, Delta filed its own plan to reorganize as an independent airline. US Airways on Jan. 10 increased its offer to $5 billion in cash and 89.5 million shares, up from the original $4 billion and 78.5 million shares. Delta creditors also would have gotten a larger stake in the merged company -- 49 percent, compared with the original 45 percent. The creditors committee may have chosen Delta's plan in the expectation that the airline could exit bankruptcy more quickly on its own, speeding their receipt of stock in a reorganized carrier. "They're getting their money sooner than they would get in a merger," said Helane Becker, an analyst for Benchmark in New York. Delta's stand-alone plan also was less risky "than doing a merger with US Airways because of the antitrust concerns," she said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 6 02:32:05 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 21:32:05 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] Ads' proliferation truly ad nauseum Message-ID: <20070205213158.I2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 February 2007 ; Reading Eagle Ads' proliferation truly ad nauseum http://www.readingeagle.com/re/adams_travel/1620000.asp --- BY Charlie Adams First off, let me explain that for the last 35 years my livelihood has depended upon advertising. At the newspapers and radio stations where I have worked, advertisers who pay their bills in turn allow those media outlets to pay their bills so that I can pay my bills. So I will not and would never bite the advertising hand that feeds me. But I will nibble on the hands that feed airlines. Newspapers and radio stations are media. They are advertising outlets and where advertising should be. Except for subscription and newsstand revenue in the papers' case, the sources of media income are the ads and commercials you read and hear. Of course, advertising has crept no, burst into virtually every segment of our lives. Nothing, anywhere, is immune to advertising. We go to a sporting event; we are besieged by it. Every stadium and arena wall is sold or for sale. Luckily, the playing fields themselves have not been emblazoned with oh, wait ads have been embedded under the ice of hockey rinks. Back to the airlines, however. They have long advertised their own services everywhere they could: at the ticket desks, gates and in other subtle places and ways. Have you been on a US Airways flight lately? Perhaps it's happening on other airlines, but I can only speak of US Airways, upon which I recently rode on a roundtrip flight to and from Florida. As we waited our takeoff turn, I fingered through the seat pocket. Where once was tucked an interesting magazine called Attach is now an ad-gorged gazetteer posing as an in-flight magazine. I honestly couldn't tell where the few stories stopped and the many ads started. My search ended with the discovery of the crossword puzzles. I flipped the tray down and found it was plastered with a full-color ad for Splenda. Still shaking my head and smirking as I was fending off the ad blitz at my seat, an aerial, audible assault blindsided me. For 60 seconds or so, just like a radio commercial, a flight attendant urged me to sign up for the airline's credit card. As the message ended, I settled into my crossword. Soon enough, the matchbook-sized "snack" and can of soda made its way to my tray. And sure enough, the snack bag was plastered with an ad a "house ad," as it's called for the airline. Bloated by the 12 seeds of mysterious origin, four dime-sized pretzelettes, and six whatever-they-weres, I decided to flip the tray back up, pack the magazine away and catch some shut-eye. A funny thing happened on the way to my 60 winks. As I popped the magazine in the pocket, the airsick bag popped out. On it, lo and behold, was an ad. This one was scary. "Get a room tonight in Vegas with US," the attention-grabbing headline read. But what really got me was the next line: "So, you're on a flight to Vegas and don't have a hotel room yet?" Wait! Wait! I was reasonably sure I was on a flight to West Palm Beach. No, I knew I was. Whew! It was just a generic ad. I turned the bag over to find the ad to end all ads. It was an ad for advertising. Prospective sponsors could "reach more than 4.2 million travelers a month" by advertising on USAirways. You name it, you can advertise on it. It won't be long until airplane cabins will look like subway cars or buses, with ads on the overhead door panels and, as I am told some already are, on the fuselages themselves. In-flight movies will have commercials. And, as the advertisement for advertising noted, even the sides of the sick-sack are for sale. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 6 02:34:38 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 21:34:38 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways proposes DOT for first nonstop service between Pensacola and Washington Message-ID: <20070205213429.E2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 February 2007 ; Travel Daily News US Airways proposes DOT for first nonstop service between Pensacola and Washington http://www.traveldailynews.com/new.asp?newid=35247&subcategory_id=96 --- US Airways has filed an application with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin nonstop, year-round service between Pensacola, Fla. and Washington, D.C. Like many Florida markets, air travel demand to Pensacola is seasonal in nature. However, "the regional population of more than 400,000 is underserved," US Airways says. "US Airways' plan to alternate aircraft types would allow the airline to maintain daily service throughout the year. During winter season, Embraer 170 aircraft would operate the route, while the slightly larger Embraer 175 would operate summer service." "US Airways' nonstop service between Washington, D.C. and Pensacola would have a number of benefits to both customers and local business communities," said C.A. Howlett, senior vice president of public affairs for the airline. "Customers in the Gulf Coast region would enjoy nonstop access to our Nation`s Capital." If approved, the new service would complement existing US Airways service between Pensacola and Charlotte. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 6 02:35:39 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 21:35:39 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways lines up narrowbodies Message-ID: <20070205213533.Q2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 February 2007 ; Flight International US Airways lines up narrowbodies http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/02/06/211918/us-airways-lines-up-narrowbodies.html --- By Mary Kirby US Airways says it plans to place a narrowbody order shortly to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing 737-300s and -400s. The carrier late last year launched an internal review to determine its replacement needs, and began weighing whether it should place orders for current-technology aircraft with Airbus or Boeing, or forge short-term leases for current models while waiting to see if new-technology designs emerge. "We've made a lot of progress [with the review]," US Airways chairman and chief executive Doug Parker said last week. Speaking before US Airways' proposed $10 billion takeover of Delta Air Lines was rejected, Parker said that the planned order was "on hold" pending the outcome of that deal as it would have resulted in "a much bigger aircraft order". He added that the airline was planning to place an order "pretty quickly". According to Flight's ACAS database, US Airways has 56 737-300s and 40 737-400s on lease from several lessors. Three 737s and one Boeing 757 will be returned to lessors during the first quarter, Parker says, adding that US Airways intends to operate a mainline fleet of 364 aircraft by the end of 2007. The carrier has previously said it intends to initially replace 60 of the narrowbodies within two years. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Feb 12 02:42:01 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:42:01 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways CEO Arrested Message-ID: <20070211214155.N2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 11 February 2007 ; Houston Chronicle US Airways CEO Arrested http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4541953.html --- PHOENIX -- US Airways chief executive Doug Parker was arrested on a drunken driving charge just hours after his airline's $9.8 billion bid for Delta Air Lines was rejected last week, Scottsdale police said Friday. Parker, 45, was pulled over at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, after leaving a party at the FBR Open golf tournament in Scottsdale, police Sgt. Mark Clark said. Parker was pulled over for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Results released Friday show Parker had a blood-alcohol level of 0.096, according to Clark. The legal limit in Arizona is 0.08. According to a police report, Parker told police he had three beers during a two-hour period. The arresting officer, Ben Roberson, wrote in the police report that Parker had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and alcohol on his breath. Parker refused to take a breathalyzer test, the report shows. The officer performed roadside sobriety tests and arrested Parker. He then took Parker to a DUI task force post for booking and to have blood drawn for an alcohol-level test. Before the test was given, the report shows Parker asked to speak with a lawyer who also had been a passenger in his black BMW when he was pulled over. The lawyer told Parker over the phone to take the test, the report shows. Parker, a husband and father of three children who lives in the posh town of Paradise Valley, was cited for DUI and driving at an imprudent speed and released the night of his arrest. Police called a taxi for him and had his car towed. Parker is scheduled to appear in Scottsdale Municipal Court on Feb. 21. The CEO wrote two letters to employees regarding the incident. "You need to know how embarrassed and sorry I am about this," Parker wrote in the first letter on Thursday. "I have let down all of you and also my family, and that is something I will have to live with irrespective of the outcome." In the second letter, written Friday after he found out the outcome of his blood-alcohol test, Parker again apologized to employees. "I will accept the consequences of my actions and I will ensure that it doesn't happen again," he wrote. "Again, I apologize to you and appreciate the hundreds of notes of encouragement that I have received from you already. We have a great airline with great employees and I'm committed to not letting you down in the future." In the letters, he also said he was in too much of a hurry the night of his arrest, but that he was honest with Roberson about how much he drank. He said he did not believe his blood-alcohol level would be over the legal limit and that he was OK to drive. Parker was not available for further comment Friday. Vice president of communications Elise Eberwein said late Thursday that Parker "is embarrassed beyond words and knows more is expected of him. US Airways said it would have no further comment on the incident Friday. US Airways Group Inc. made a hostile bid for bankrupt Air Lines Inc. on Nov. 15. US Airways later raised its bid by nearly 20 percent in hopes of swaying Delta's official committee of unsecured creditors. But the creditors rejected the offer on Jan. 31, and Parker pulled the bid within minutes of being informed of the move. Parker said Thursday he wouldn't have done anything differently in regards to the Delta bid. "The creditors just chose not to go with our proposal," he said. "We think our proposal was better, but it was their prerogative, and we left on our own terms." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 13 12:42:44 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:42:44 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] Pension agency sells stake in US Airways Message-ID: <20070213074238.S2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 February 2007 ; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pension agency sells stake in US Airways http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/briefs/s_492928.html --- By Staff and wire reports The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the fifth-largest investor in US Airways Group Inc., said it sold its 4.87-million-share stake in the airline. The sale, disclosed Monday in a U.S. regulatory filing, completed the pension insurer's plan to dispose of the US Airways shares acquired in 2005 when it took over the carrier's pensions in bankruptcy. The agency will use the proceeds from the sale to pay benefits to US Airways pilots, flight attendants and other employees, spokesman Gary Pastorius said. The PBGC had a $3 billion claim against US Airways when the airline merged with America West Holdings Corp. in 2005. In addition to the stock, the agency received $13.5 million in cash and a $10 million note for the pension takeover. Shares of Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways rose 74 cents to $58.88 yesterday. The shares have risen 96 percent in the past 12 months. [...] From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Feb 13 12:46:09 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:46:09 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] Freedom of flight ends at forced retirement Message-ID: <20070213074601.P2973-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 February 2007 ; Charlotte Observer Freedom of flight ends at forced retirement http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/16685615.htm --- A BITTERSWEET LANDING Freedom of flight ends at forced retirement Pilots being pushed out at 60; efforts grow to raise age to 65 BY STEVE HARRISON Pilot John Wolfe planned to stage a small protest on Monday, his retirement day from US Airways. He wanted to exit his Boeing 757 in a wheelchair, then leap up and give his children and grandchildren and well-wishers hugs. His point? I am still a great pilot. I am healthy. I should not be forced into retirement at age 60. "If you pick your day it's one thing, but when it's picked for you, it's really hard," said Paula Wolfe, John's wife and a US Airways flight attendant. She worked his last flight Monday afternoon from Las Vegas to Charlotte, and had planned the wheelchair gimmick. But US Airways got wind of it and nixed it. The federal government has proposed allowing pilots to fly commercial airliners until they are 65, a change that's already taken place in most countries. In November, the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency, set a standard of pilots being no older than 65. The rule affects all but four countries: the United States, France, Pakistan and Colombia. Pilots nearing retirement have long lobbied for the change, but their protests have gotten louder after some have seen their pensions and salaries cut. They say they need more time to work to make up for lost pay. They also argue the age 60 rule -- imposed by the FAA in 1960 for safety reasons -- is arbitrary and too early. Though changes may be coming in a year or two, it's too late for pilots like Wolfe, who has been an airline pilot since 1978, when he was hired by Pacific Southwest Airlines. Wolfe and other pilots say any change wouldn't be retroactive, meaning they would have no right to get their old jobs back. "I'm trying not to be too bitter," Wolfe said smiling. Wolfe was greeted in Charlotte by a water cannon while taxiing to his gate. All of his passengers signed a picture of a US Airways plane. He and his family ate cake in the pilots lounge below Concourse C. He said he has been worn down by heightened security measures, and by cuts in wages and benefits that came while US Airways went through two bankruptcies in the last four years. Like all US Airways pilots, he's upset that management hasn't restored some of their lost wages, now that the airline is making money. "The things I'll miss? It was a good window seat -- it's a good view up there," said Wolfe, who learned to fly in the Air Force and who flew in Vietnam. "I really liked the flying of the airplane. If I can get in four or five landings in a day, that's great." Wolfe was perturbed that on his last flight he had to fly on autopilot after taking off from Las Vegas, in order to meet strict noise abatement rules. But the last landing into Charlotte/Douglas was much better: Clear skies, the airport visible for 15 miles. No autopilot needed. A nice way to go out. His co-pilot Monday was Randy Smith, who wasn't scheduled to fly. Smith and Wolfe are old friends, so Smith took a vacation day to accompany Wolfe cross country. He also did it for himself. He turns 60 on March 12, so Monday's flight helped him get his head around what's looming. Smith said he would fly for US Airways until 65 if he could. Instead, he may fly corporate jets, which are governed by less strict rules. Wolfe said he would like to keep flying until at least 62, when his Social Security kicks in. He plans to leave Charlotte, his home since 1993, and retire to Boulder City, Nev., where he has a house. Instead of flying corporate jets, he may get a job flying tourists to the Grand Canyon nearby. "It's a day job, and I can be home by night," Wolfe said. Ceremonies like Monday's are increasingly common at US Airways, where the average pilot has more than 22 years of experience, according to an airline spokeswoman. US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker has said a higher retirement age won't have a significant financial impact on his airline. Pilots at that age have already reached the top of the pay scale, though older pilots may need more sick time. The airline has taken no position on the issue. Many pilots fly until the last possible moment, though Wolfe doesn't turn 60 until Wednesday. "Let's go fly another one!" he said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Feb 15 23:25:42 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:25:42 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways makes pitch for China route Message-ID: <20070215182532.I581-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 15 February 2007 ; Philadelpha Inquirer US Airways makes pitch for China route http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/16692427.htm --- If successful, the company could begin nonstop service by March 2008. The flights are highly profitable. By Tom Belden Inquirer Staff Writer If US Airways can persuade federal regulators and outhustle its competitors, nonstop airline flights between Philadelphia International Airport and China could start as early as next year, airline and government officials say. US Airways has joined four other major airlines in expressing interest to the U.S. Department of Transportation in serving the next available U.S.-to-China route, which the federal agency expects to award later this year so service can start March 25, 2008, department spokesman Bill Mosley said yesterday. US Airways has not decided yet which of its connecting hubs - Philadelphia; Charlotte, N.C.; or Phoenix - it will seek to connect to China when it makes an application to the government, airline spokesman Philip Gee said. But, Gee noted, Philadelphia is the largest U.S. metropolitan area that has no nonstop air service to China, one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Whichever city is chosen, US Airways would face fierce competition from the other airlines, supported by their hub cities. U.S.-to-China air routes are among the most sought-after in the world because service between the countries now is limited and traffic is strong, with flights heavily used by business travelers willing to pay high fares. Tempe, Ariz.- based US Airways Group Inc. also would have to buy or lease airplanes to fly to China. The Airbus A330, the largest jet in its fleet, does not have the range to go nonstop from any of the hubs, Gee said. China's capital, Beijing, is about 6,900 miles by air from Philadelphia, 6,500 miles from Phoenix, and 7,100 from Charlotte. US Airways has not discussed its interest in a China route with Philadelphia airport managers, airport spokesman Mark Pesce said yesterday. Mjenzi Traylor, the first deputy city commerce director, said that studies done for the Greater Philadelphia Global Partnership, a business-development group, have determined that there was strong demand for charter airline flights between Philadelphia and China. That work could serve as a basis to measure demand for scheduled flights, which would have city support, he said. Philadelphia currently has 52 daily nonstop international flights to 31 destinations, the great majority of them operated by US Airways. The airport has a total of about 700 daily departures to more than 120 cities. American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines also are expected to seek the coveted service, which could be to any of China's largest cities, federal officials said. Delta has applied to fly between Atlanta, its largest hub, and Shanghai, Mosley said. The other carriers, including US Airways, have not made formal applications and have not said which of their hubs they would use, he said. International airline routes, unlike domestic ones, are governed by treaties between nations that can limit the number of weekly flights airlines can operate. The United States has so-called "open skies" agreements with dozens of countries, including Canada, Mexico, and most European nations, that allow unlimited flights, but China is not among them. Under a six-year agreement with China signed in 2004, U.S. airlines will be able to offer a total of 195 new flights a week. The new flights will be phased in over the term of the pact. Last week, the Transportation Department ended a spirited competition among carriers by awarding United Airlines the right to start nonstop flights - seven round-trips a week - between Washington Dulles Airport, where it has a hub, and Beijing. United is scheduled to start the service March 28. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Feb 15 23:27:41 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:27:41 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways investor sells large block Message-ID: <20070215182730.I581-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 15 February 2007 ; Charlotte Business Journal US Airways investor sells large block http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2007/02/12/daily18.html --- The largest investor in US Airways Group Inc. has sold nearly half its shares in the Phoenix-based airline. PAR Investment Partners of Boston sold 6.5 million of 13.5 million shares. PAR was among four institutional investors that put $350 million into the merged operations of US Airways and America West Holdings Corp. in 2005. The investors received 41 percent of the shares of the airline. PAR acquired additional shares in early 2006. US Airways, which operates its largest hub at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, says the sale reflects PAR's desire to diversify its holdings. Edward Shapiro, vice president of PAR Capital Management Inc., will retain his seat on US Airways' board. PAR remains one of the carrier's largest investors. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Feb 15 23:32:01 2007 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:32:01 -0500 (EST) Subject: [US Airways] Whose ticket is it, anyway? Message-ID: <20070215183145.A581-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 15 February 2007 ; MSNBC Whose ticket is it, anyway? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17157241 --- A validity question forces a traveler to buy a new ticket -- who should pay? By Christopher Elliott Travel columnist Tribune Media Services Q: I recently cashed my US Airways' miles for two round-trip business class tickets to Europe. The outbound flight was on SAS from Newark to Stockholm, and our return was on United Airlines from London to New York. US Airways deducted 160,000 miles from my Dividend Miles account, and our seat assignments were confirmed through the airline's Web site. We also received a paper confirmation of the outbound part of the trip in the mail. When I called to inquire about the missing return confirmation, a US Airways representative told us not to worry -- since this was an e-ticket, no paper confirmation was needed. When we arrived at United's ticket counter in London, an agent informed us that we had a reservation, but no ticket. He insisted on a paper ticket. I showed him the evidence of our confirmation number. The United agent tried to help, by calling US Airways in London several times, but the US Airways people would not acknowledge that we had e-tickets. United insisted that I pay for my tickets, which cost an additional $3,701.58. On top of this, US Airways subsequently charged my credit card without our authorization for $239.34. I've been back and forth with US Airways for the last six weeks, trying to get a refund. Finally, a representative from the executive office told me, "Let me be blunt. It isn't going to happen." Can you help me get my money back? -- Blake Robinson, Darien, Conn. A: Let me be blunt. United Airlines shouldn't have charged you for your ticket, and US Airways should have done everything in its power to get your refund. But instead of taking responsibility for your problem, it stalled for six weeks, finally telling you to get lost. That's completely unacceptable. What went wrong? I contacted your airline to find out. Although you bought your tickets through US Airways, your tickets were issued through United Airlines, a partner airline. After that happened, you were in United's hands, as far as US Airways was concerned. But not as far as you were concerned. Or me. Both of your tickets were, in fact, valid. But the United ticket agent in London failed to recognize your ticket and forced you to buy a new one. That's not US Airways' mistake -- it's United's. Who's responsible for fixing it? US Airways says it's up to United. But you see it differently (and so do I). As the airline that sold you the ticket, I think US Airways bears some of the responsibility for finding a solution. When I reviewed this case with US Airways' executive office, it became clear that the airline didn't initially know what you were asking for, and it didn't have enough information to help you. You could have avoided six weeks of frustrating back-and-forth by offering a complete account of what happened, including giving your representative the reservations numbers necessary to track your ticket. When US Airways had a clearer picture of what was going on, it decided to hand you off to United. Technically, that was the right call. But let's not get technical. US Airways should have at least offered to act as an intermediary with United, to help secure your refund. You were correct to question the validity of the first paperless ticket you received in the mail. Clearly the United ticket agent you dealt with was confused, too. If you had followed up by calling United, you might have been able to clear up misunderstandings about the ticket before your return flight. US Airways correctly charged you $239.34 for taxes on your frequent flier tickets, and there's no way around it.