Tag Archives: US Airways Express

PSA Airlines and ALPA reach a tentative agreement for a new contract

PSA Airlines (2nd) (US Airways Express) (Dayton), a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways (Phoenix), has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents the airline’s 515 pilots.

ALPA will be presenting the details of the tentative agreement to its members for a ratification vote in the coming weeks. The tentative agreement would cover the airline’s 515 pilots, who are based in Dayton, Ohio; Knoxville, Tennessee and Charlotte, North Carolina.

US Airways Express-PSA Airlines:

Piedmont Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) reach a tentative agreement on a new contract

Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (US Airways Express) (Salisbury), a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways (Phoenix), has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents the airline’s 375 pilots. The tentative agreement is subject to language being finalized, which is expected to occur over the next few weeks.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Piedmont Airlines’ Bombardier DHC-8-102 N936HA (msn 145) taxies to the runway at the Charlotte hub.

US Airways Express-Piedmont Airlines (2nd):

Piedmont Airlines’ fleet and passenger service employees ratify the contract

Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (subsidiary of US Airways) (US Airways Express) (Salisbury) fleet and passenger service employees have voted to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement previously announced on May 31. The new four and a half year agreement was ratified by Piedmont Airlines’ more than 3,000 employees who are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

US Airways Express-Piedmont Airlines:

PSA’s pilots to US Airways management: Get a new contract done now!

PSA Airlines‘ (2nd) (US Airways Express) (subsidiary of US Airways) (Dayton) pilots, represented by ALPA, are angry over the length of negotiations with US Airways (Phoenix) management over the length of the current negotiations for a new contract. The union issued the following statement:

“June 9, 2012, is the third anniversary of the start of contract negotiations for the pilots of PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc. PSA pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are marking this milestone with a strong message to company executives: now is the time to reach a deal that rewards PSA pilots for the valuable service they provide to their airline and their passengers.

“PSA pilots demand to be recognized for the exceptional contributions we make to our airline’s operations,” said Capt. Jesse Coeling, chairman of ALPA’s PSA chapter. To underscore this point, PSA pilots are promoting the message “Our Day Has Value” in a show of unified support for their Negotiating Committee.

PSA pilots, who fly under the US Airways Express brand, have been in negotiations with management since June 2009; the two parties have been working with a federal mediator since October 2011. The next bargaining session will be held June 11–14, 2012. “Frankly, three years is too long to be in negotiations,” Capt. Coeling said. He notes that much has changed in the U.S. airline industry since 2009, and the future is uncertain, making this the right time to reach a deal.

“Securing a fair, improved contract now not only recognizes the important role our pilots play in our airline’s operations, but also provides the necessary stability for PSA and US Airways to succeed in this dynamic environment,” Capt. Coeling said. “We are committed to achieving this goal, and we call on our management to come to the bargaining table next week ready to work toward an agreement by the end of the summer.”

US Airways Express-PSA Airlines (2nd):

Piedmont Airlines and the CWA union reach a tentative agreement

Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (Salisbury), a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways (Phoenix), has announced tit has reached a tentative agreement on a new, four and a half year collective bargaining agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the representative of the airline’s more than 3,000 fleet and passenger service employees. Details of the agreement will be made available by the CWA.

The CWA will be presenting the details of the tentative agreement to its members for consideration with an endorsement for ratification, which is expected to take place in July. Once ratified, the new agreement will extend through January, 2017.

US Airways Express-Piedmont Airlines:

Mesa reinforces its on-time performance again in March

Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Mesa Airlines) (Phoenix), the number one on-time regional airline in 2010 and 2011, announces its number one rank among US regional airlines for on-time arrivals in March 2012, as reported by US Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics in the Air Travel Consumer Report, the industry recognized measure of performance. Mesa’s operational performance has ranked it as the number one On-time Regional Airline every month since April 2010, and the latest award reinforces Mesa’s continued commitment to serve our Code Share Partners and passengers with safe, reliable on-time air transportation. In addition to continuing its status as the number one on-time regional airline, Mesa was ranked first among regional carriers with the fewest mishandled bags and was ranked first among all airlines for having the fewest complaints per 100,000 passengers carried.

The airline’s accomplishment is especially impressive given the airline’s footprint of service in 34 states nationwide, including significant service at four of the nation’s five busiest airports. Mesa Airlines operates as US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreements with US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as go!, a Low Fare airline which is about to enter its 6^th year of offering low fares to visitors and residents of Hawai’i as the second largest inter-island airline based on passengers carried.

With these announcements about its on-time performance, Mesa is building its case for reliability.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough.

United Express-Mesa Slide Show: CLICK HERE

US Airways-Mesa Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

US Airways Group reports April revenue was up by 9 percent

US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways) (Phoenix) today announced April and year-to-date 2012 traffic results. Mainline revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for the month were 5.0 billion, up 2.1 percent versus April 2011. Mainline capacity was 6.1 billion available seat miles (ASMs), up 1.6 percent versus April 2011. Mainline passenger load factor was 83.0 percent for the month of April, up 0.4 points versus April 2011.

According to the company, April consolidated (mainline and Express) passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased approximately nine percent versus the same period last year.

For the month of April, US Airways’ preliminary on-time performance as reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was 90.6 percent with a completion factor of 99.7 percent. Both metrics were all-time Company records.

The US Airways Group includes mainline-operated US Airways flights as well as US Airways Express flights operated by wholly-owned subsidiaries PSA Airlines (2nd) (Dayton) and Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (Salisbury).

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman.

US Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

US Airways Express-Piedmont Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

US Airways starts nonstop flights from Cincinnati and Des Moines to Washington Reagan National today

US Airways (Phoenix) today began connecting its customers in Cincinnati and Des Moines, Iowa with the launch of new daily, nonstop flights to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.

On March 25, US Airways began connecting its customers in 11 communities with new nonstop service to the District’s downtown airport. The airline also recently announced new service to six additional communities that will begin later this spring and summer. As of July 11, US Airways will have a total of 22 nonstop routes to communities of all sizes served from Reagan National.

US Airways’ wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines will operate daily service to Cincinnati on 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ200) aircraft. Flight 2487 begins today. All other flights begin May 3. Beginning May 15, US Airways’ customers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will depart from the Main Terminal (Terminal 3) as the airline shifts its operations to a new ticketing area. The flight schedule for the new flights is as follows:

To Reagan National (DCA)Flight Departure Arrival

2490 6:00 a.m. 7:44 a.m.

2492 12:40 p.m. 2:24 p.m.

2496* 5:20 p.m. 7:04 p.m.

From Reagan National (DCA)Flight Departure Arrival

2491 10:10 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

2495* 3:00 p.m. 4:50 p.m.

2487 9:05 p.m. 10:55 p.m.

Republic Airlines, a US Airways Express carrier, will operate daily service, with the exception of Saturdays, to Des Moines on dual-class 69-passenger Embraer ERJ 170 aircraft. Flight 3483 begins today. All other flights begin May 3. The flight schedule for the new flights is as follows:

To Reagan National (DCA)Flight Departure Arrival

3480* 6:00 a.m. 9:12 a.m.

3482 4:10 p.m. 7:22 p.m.

From Reagan National (DCA)Flight Departure Arrival

3481 1:50 p.m. 3:28 p.m.

3483 8:10 p.m. 9:48 p.m.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

US Airways Express-PSA Slide Show: CLICK HERE

US Airways Express-Republic Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman.

Republic Airways Holdings narrows its loss in the 1Q, Frontier still a drag on the holding company

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) reported a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to a net loss of $22.4 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Republic revenues decreased 4.5%, compared to the prior year’s first quarter on a 4.7% decrease in block hours. As of March 31, 2012, Republic operated 19 fewer 37-50 seat aircraft than a year ago, resulting in lower block hour production. Republic also redeployed 14 of 17 EJet aircraft that were flown on behalf of Frontier in 2011 back into fixed-fee service with Delta.

Income before taxes for Republic was $10.9 million for the quarter, compared to a pre-tax income of $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2011. The improvement in Republic’s first quarter result stems from a significant reduction in pro-rate flying and related losses that were incurred in the first quarter of 2011 on sub-99 seat aircraft operating on behalf of Frontier.

Fuel costs for Republic were $59.8 million for the quarter, a decrease of $15.8 million from the prior year’s first quarter. The price per gallon increased 7.8% from $3.09 to $3.33 for the quarter, but the increase in pricing was more than offset by the reduction in consumption associated with the significant reduction in pro-rate operations.

Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM), including interest expense but excluding fuel, increased 4.5% to 8.44¢ for the first quarter of 2012, from 8.08¢ for the same quarter of 2011. The increase is a result of unassigned aircraft expenses, increased employee benefit costs and higher maintenance expenses.

As of March 31, 2012, Republic operated 56 aircraft with 44-50 seats and 126 aircraft with 69-80 seats under fixed-fee commercial agreements. Additionally, Republic operated three aircraft with 50 seats and 19 aircraft with 74-99 seats under pro-rate agreements with Frontier. Seventeen 37-76 seat aircraft were unassigned as of March 31, 2012. The Company recently entered into long-term, offshore agreements to sublease three of its E170 aircraft, which are expected to be delivered to the new lessee between June and September of 2012.

The Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) continues to be a drag for the holding company. However Frontier made improvements during this quarter. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, Frontier posted a pre-tax loss of $21.6 million compared to a pre-tax loss of $39.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Frontier’s total revenues increased 19.2% to $342.4 million for the quarter, compared to $287.3 million for the same period in 2011. Capacity on Frontier, as measured by ASMs, was up 10.8% from the prior year’s first quarter, reflecting the year-over-year effect of the addition of A319 and A320 aircraft to the fleet during the first half of 2011. Load factor for the first quarter was a record 84.7%, and an increase of 4.1 points from the first quarter of 2011. Total revenue per ASM (TRASM) was 11.41¢, up 7.5% from the same quarter in 2011.

The operating unit cost for Frontier operations, excluding fuel, was 7.68¢ for the quarter, a 5.1% decrease compared to 8.09¢ for the same quarter of 2011, due primarily to an increase in average aircraft seat density and lower non-fuel expenses in the current quarter. Frontier’s unit cost for the first quarter of 2012 includes approximately 0.84¢ related to certain expenses associated with pro-rate operations between Republic and Frontier.

Under the Company’s arms-length pro-rate agreements, Republic is allocated an industry standard pro-rata portion of ticket revenue, while Frontier retains all connect revenues as well as ancillary revenues on regional flights. Frontier maintains certain rights to deploy the regional aircraft and maintains control of pricing and revenue management. Frontier also retains responsibility for all customer service expenses, including airport rents. Selling and distribution costs are shared between Republic and Frontier.

Fuel costs for Frontier were $131.9 million for the quarter, an increase of $26.8 million from the prior year’s first quarter. The fuel cost per gallon, including into-plane taxes and fees, increased 18.5% to $3.39 for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $2.86 for last year’s first quarter. The first quarter 2011 result included a gain on fuel hedges of $8.7 million, or $0.23 per gallon. There were no hedge positions for the first quarter of 2012.

As of March 31, 2012, Frontier operated a total of 60 Airbus aircraft. During the second-quarter of 2012, Frontier will be reconfiguring its fleet of 15 A320 aircraft (see above) to include six additional seats, increasing seat density from 162 to 168 seats. Frontier also plans to add one A320 aircraft during the second quarter of 2012, increasing its A320 operational fleet to 16 aircraft. Certain of Frontier’s aircraft operate under fixed-price, multi-year charter agreements. Revenues earned under these agreements are reported as other revenue in our consolidated statement of operations.

Republic’s total cash balance increased $25.8 million to $396.5 million as of March 31, 2012, compared to December 31, 2011. Restricted cash increased $67.6 million, to $219.0 million, from December 31, 2011. The Company’s unrestricted cash balance decreased $41.8 million, to $177.5 million, from December 31, 2011. A condensed cash flow statement has been provided in the tables section of this release.

Republic’s debt decreased to $2.31 billion as of March 31, 2012, compared to $2.36 billion at December 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 85% of the total debt is fixed-rate. The Company has significant long-term lease obligations for aircraft that are classified as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. At a 6.0% discount factor, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $1.15 billion as of March 31, 2012. A condensed balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 has been provided in the tables section of this release.

Republic has engaged Seabury Advisors to assist the company in a comprehensive restructuring effort for the Chautauqua Airlines subsidiary, which operates our small regional jets (see below).

Republic Airways Holdings is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.

Top Copyright Photo: Luimer Cordero.

Frontier Slide Show: CLICK HERE

US Airways Express-Chautauqua Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Chautauqua’s future is somewhat murky pending recommendations for its future from Seabury.

Pinnacle to shed 450 pilot positions over the next 18 months

Pinacle Airlines Corporation (Memphis), currently reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is planning to shed around 450 pilot positions over the next 18 months. The group intends to also shed 97 Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400), SAAB 340B and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft as it adjusts its contracts. Colgan Air will also be closed down by November 2012. The United Express and US Airways Express operations will also be terminated under the current reorganization proposals.

Read the full report from Memphis Business Journal: CLICK HERE

United Express-Colgan Slide Show: CLICK HERE