US Airways, Inc.

OST-2007-0025 - Exemption - Phoenix-Guadalajara

October 22, 2007

Application for an Exemption

US Airways, Inc. hereby applies for an exemption and, to the extent necessary, a designation in order to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Phoenix, Arizona and Guadalajara, Mexico. US Airways requests expedited processing of this application so that it can begin implementing schedule changes and marketing as soon as possible.

US Airways already holds authority to provide code-share service between Phoenix and Guadalajara pursuant to its code-share arrangement with Mesa Airlines, Inc. (See Erratum, Notice of Action Taken, November 4, 2005, Docket OST-2005-22645 (renewal timely filed on September 6, 2007).) US Airways now seeks exemption authority to operate between PHX and GDL using its own aircraft.

US Airways plans to commence service on or about January 5, 2007, using Airbus A-319 aircraft. US Airways will operate this service six times per week on a year-round basis.

US Airways will continue to codeshare on flights operated by Mesa in this market. Mesa currently provides daily scheduled air service in the PHX-GDL market using CRJ-900 regional jet aircraft. Mesa will continue to operate flights between Phoenix and Guadalajara one day per week.

Mesa is the only U.S. carrier currently providing scheduled, non-stop service in the Phoenix-Guadalajara market, and US Airways is unaware of any other U.S. carriers with authority to serve this market. By granting the requested authority, one designation for a U.S. carrier to provide scheduled air service in the PHX-GDL market will remain available.

Counsel: US Airways, Howard Kass, 202-326-5153, howard_kass@usairways.com

October 26, 2007

Re: Polling Results

We have polled the air carriers on the attached service list regarding the above-referenced Application. We received no objections. Accordingly, we respectfully request expedited consideration of this Application.

Counsel: US Airways, Howard Kass

Filed October 22, 2007 | Issued November 1, 2007

Notice of Action Taken | Word

Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Phoenix, Arizona, and Guadalajara, Mexico.

US Airways states that it already holds exemption authority to serve the market pursuant to a code-share arrangement with Mesa Airlines, Inc. (see Notice of Action Taken dated November 4, 2005, in Docket OST-2005-22645), but now seeks authority to serve the market as a direct carrier (own-aircraft) operator.  US Airways states that it will also continue to place its code on Mesa flights in the market.  We note that the authority granted to US Airways here would allow the carrier to offer both direct carrier and code-share service on the Phoenix-Guadalajara route.  

By: Paul Gretch