TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways (NYSE: LCC)
has selected a site at Pittsburgh International Airport for its new $25
million, 60,000 square foot flight operations control center. Approximately
600 aviation professionals will eventually be housed at the new facility,
which will be the nerve center of US Airways' 1,400 daily mainline flights.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO)
"We gave careful consideration to proposals from Phoenix, Charlotte and
Pittsburgh, and all three cities gave compelling reasons to consider those
proposals. However, we chose Pittsburgh for a variety of reasons, including
the impact of relocating experienced employees from the Pittsburgh area and
the amount of value created for US Airways in the Pittsburgh proposal. We
were particularly impressed with the outstanding commitment of, and
cooperation between, city, county and state officials to this project.
These cooperative efforts do not occur without strong leadership," said
Scott Kirby, US Airways' president.
"We appreciate the hard work of many individuals who made today's
announcement possible, including Governor Ed Rendell; Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis
Yablonsky; Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato; Allegheny County
Economic Development Director Dennis Davin; Allegheny County Airport
Authority Chairman Glenn Mahone; Allegheny County Airport Authority
Executive Director Kent George; the entire Allegheny County Airport
Authority and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development Executive
Director Michael Langley.
"We are also very appreciative of the efforts of state and local
officials in Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C., but believe the decision to
expand our existing operation at Pittsburgh is the best operational and
financial choice for our people and our airline," Kirby said.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said, "US Airways
decision to consolidate their Operations Center in Pittsburgh is
tremendously good news for Pittsburgh and the entire commonwealth -- I am
absolutely thrilled they chose Pennsylvania. The dedicated workforce, the
attractiveness of the region and hard work of everyone who contributed to
this effort should be credited for what is a major boost for Pittsburgh,
and the entire region."
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said, "We're pleased that
US Airways has chosen to locate its combined operations control center in
Allegheny County, and we look forward to years of continued partnership
with the airline. Today's announcement is also further proof that Allegheny
County is a great place to do business. My administration will continue to
work with other companies as they look to expand and bring jobs to our
county."
Allegheny County Airport Authority Chairman Glenn Mahone said, "US
Airways' new operations control center will be an asset to our community.
We anticipate a great working relationship as we move forward to
successfully complete this project."
US Airways merged with America West in fall 2005 and sought proposals
last summer from Pittsburgh, Phoenix and Charlotte for a new combined
operations center. Currently, US Airways operates an operations center in
Pittsburgh (for US Airways) and Phoenix (for America West). Charlotte,
which does not have an operations center, is the airline's largest hub and
has several support facilities there, including flight training and
maintenance facilities.
Kirby noted that US Airways has created more than 1,100 jobs in the
Phoenix area since the US Airways-America West merger, and has relocated
some airline functions, such as crew member training, to the hub airport at
Charlotte.
Kirby stated, "We're delighted that the US Airways-America West merger
has created jobs across the country, and especially pleased that we can
preserve jobs in the Pittsburgh area."
Full terms of the airline's bid analysis will not be disclosed;
however, the new center will be a specially designed, newly constructed
facility with more than 60,000 square feet located on a 10-acre site.
Groundbreaking for the project is slated for later this year. The first
day of full operation is scheduled in early 2009.
The new flight operations control center will have workspace for more
than 600 professional employees who plan, track and handle US Airways'
flights. The airline's Flight Dispatch, Maintenance Operations Control,
Crew Scheduling, System Customer Service, Operations Engineering Groups
along with administrative support will be located at the new facility. Some
of these workgroups will retain some positions in Phoenix.
US Airways' heritage runs deep in Pittsburgh, dating back to 1939 when
All American Aviation, later known as Allegheny Airlines, USAir and US
Airways, began its first air service. Today, US Airways employs more than
2,700 aviation professionals in Pittsburgh and operates nearly 150 flights
to 52 non-stop destinations from Pittsburgh International Airport.
US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than
37,000 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. The new US Airways -- the product of a merger between
America West and US Airways in September 2005 -- is a member of the Star
Alliance network, which offers our customers 16,000 daily flights to 855
destinations in 155 countries worldwide. This press release and additional
information on US Airways can be found at http://www.usairways.com. (LCCG)
-Fly with US-
SOURCE US Airways
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Related links:
http://www.usairways.com
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CONTACT:
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