US Airways Applauds Department of Transportation Secretary Peters and FAA for Plans to Reduce Congestion in New York and Northeast Corridor Airspace

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — US Airways , with major operations throughout the New York region and Northeast corridor, today applauded U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Mary Peters, the DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approving plans to reduce airspace congestion in the Northeast.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO)

“As the largest carrier at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, with a hub at Philadelphia and extensive presence in the Northeast, we are very supportive of Secretary Peters’ initiatives and the general recommendations made today,” said US Airways chairman and CEO Doug Parker.

“Secretary Peters and her team tackled complex and difficult issues in a very short period of time, and listened thoughtfully to the real-life effects of suggestions from all the stakeholders – airlines, consumers, airport and other public officials. The Secretary’s recommendations today will benefit consumers throughout the Northeast, the U.S. and global transportation systems.”

Parker said the airline is particularly pleased with new takeoff patterns effective today at the airline’s Philadelphia hub; other operational improvements identified, and the appointment of an aviation “czar” to coordinate congestion issues in New York. The airline is also pleased with the Secretary’s willingness to explore additional ways to reduce airspace congestion in the Northeast corridor. “We look forward to working with the Secretary to develop further initiatives, including changes to the LaGuardia Perimeter Rule that will reduce congestion, increase competition, benefit consumers and result in greater efficiency of the airport’s assets.”

The airline also thanked DOT and FAA for opening up military air space and taking other measures to ease air traffic congestion during the upcoming Christmas holiday week. “The DOT and FAA efforts to mitigate delays contributed to very smooth operations during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend,” said Parker.

US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than 36,000 aviation professionals worldwide. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 3,800 flights per day and serve more than 230 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. US Airways is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers our customers 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160 countries worldwide. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at http://www.usairways.com/. (LCCG)

-Fly With US-

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

US Airways

CONTACT: US Airways, +1-480-693-5729

Web site: http://www.usairways.com/