OST-2003-14650 - US Airways - US-Buenos Aires, Argentina / Montevideo, Uruguay Codeshare with United

OST-2003-14650

US Airways plans to code-share on scheduled United services between the United States and Argentina, initially on United's Miami-Buenos Aires, Washington (Dulles)-Buenos Aires, and Miami-Buenos Aires-Montevideo services. US Airways may, in the future, code-share on other U.S.-Buenos Aires and/or U.S.-Montevideo services by United as opportunities present themselves. Accordingly, US Airways seeks broad "all U.S. points" authority in order to obviate the need to file another application (requiring additional time and Department resources) in the future should such additional code-share services be warranted.

With respect to the exemption authority sought by US Airways, the Department has previously granted similar authority to U.S. carriers for code-share services to Argentina. See, e.g., Notice of Action Taken (Docket OST-01-9661) (June 6, 2001) (Northwest's exemption authority for Newark-Buenos Aires, to be operated under a code-share agreement with Continental on flights operated by Continental). The Department has also awarded broad Uruguay authority to U.S. carriers. See, e.g., Notice of Action Taken (Docket OST-96-1353) (March 6, 2002) (American's exemption authority for Uruguay service).

Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail (i) between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) beyond Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay; and (iii) between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay. US Airways intends to place its code on flights operated by United Air Lines.

OST-03-14650 - US-Buenos Aires, Argentina / Montevideo, Uruguay Codeshare with United

US Airways herein seeks to renew its exemption. Renewal of US Airways' exemption will serve the public interest by permitting US Airways to provide competition to other carriers serving Argentina directly and through codeshare services. US Airways is currently providing codeshare service to Buenos Aires. Although US Airways is not currently offering codeshare service to Montevideo, it wishes to maintain the flexibility to offer such services in the future.

By Notice of Action Taken, March 25, 2003, the Department granted US Airways exemption authority in this Docket in order to operate scheduled service between a point or points in the United States, on the one hand, and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, on the other hand ‑ services which US Airways operates pursuant to its codeshare arrangement with United Airlines.

OST-03-14650 - US-Buenos Aires, Argentina / Montevideo, Uruguay Codeshare with United

With respect to US Airways' application to renew its exemption for scheduled foreign air transportation services (1) between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina; (2) beyond Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay, and (3) between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay, in this Docket, please be advised that US Airways is seeking renewal of the route integration previously attached to that authority as well.

OST-2003-14650 - Exemption - US-Argentina-Uruguay Codeshare with United Air Lines

Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail (i) between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) beyond Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay: and (iii) between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay, and to integrate this authority with its existing certificate and exemption authority.

US Airways states that it had planned to operate these services pursuant to its code-share arrangement with United Air Lines. It is currently providing code-share service to Buenos Aires. While it is not currently providing code-share service to Montevideo, it wishes to maintain the flexibility to offer such services in the future.

OST-2003-14650 - Exemption - US-Argentina-Uruguay Codeshare with United Air Lines

US Airways, Inc. applies for renewal of its exemption authority to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property. and mail between (i) between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) beyond Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay; and (iii) between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay.

US Airways' current exemption for United States-Buenos Aires, Argentina; beyond Buenos Aires, Argentina to Montevideo, Uruguay; and the United States-Montevideo, Uruguay, is effective through March 21, 2007.

US Airways currently provides service between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina pursuant to its code-share arrangement with United Airlines. Although US Airways does not currently provide scheduled air service between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay, renewal of US Airways' authority will provide US Airways with the greatest flexibility to implement air service, if future market conditions should warrant.

OST-2003-14650 - Exemption - US-Argentina-Uruguay Codeshare with United Air Lines

Renewal of scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail (i) between the United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) beyond Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay; and (iii) between the United States and Montevideo, Uruguay.

US Airways states that it currently provides service to Buenos Aires pursuant to its code-share arrangement with United Air Lines. The carrier further states that while it is not currently providing service to Montevideo, it wishes to maintain the flexibility to offer such services in the future.