Star Alliance welcomes the New US Airways

Star Alliance has congratulated the new US Airways on the conclusion of its merger with America West Airlines and looks forward to integrating the enlarged carrier into the alliance. Once the merger is fully completed (all flights operating under US flight numbers), the Tempe, Arizona-based airline will add 1,000 flights per day to the Star Alliance network in North America. The alliance and US Airways are now working on providing the Star Alliance customer benefits to the airline's expanded network as quickly as possible.

"The merger between America West and US Airways is good news for customers, for the alliance and for our member carriers," said Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO. "From the customers' perspective, they will be able to make use of the Star Alliance benefits on new routes. From an alliance angle, we will improve our market position in North America, and from our member carriers' view, they will increase their network reach."

All in all, the three North American member carriers - Air Canada, United and US Airways - will operate more than 9,000 daily flights to more than 320 destinations across Canada and the USA. The complementary route structure - America West's strength on the West Coast and US Airways' concentrated coverage on the East Coast, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean - will further increase flight options for passengers.

The alliance customer benefits will be made available to all passengers using the new US Airways during 2006.

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