USA32Pilot said: "Do not be surprised if the Shuttle obtains EMB-170 (aircraft)".
700UW responded: "Come February the Shuttle will be ALL Airbus."
USA320Pilot comments: During off peak times the Shuttle has about 30 or 40 passengers per flight and continues to lose money. The shuttle is operating better and US Airways has begun to take traffic traffic from Delta and Eagle, but the loads normally do not support a Boeing or Shuttle aircraft.
The Company announced that the Shuttle will return to all Airbus flying, changing the DCA-BOS service from a B737 to an A319, but I understand it will change equipment on the weekends.
It is my understanding a new schedule will be loaded into Sabre on December 4 and will include EMB-170 Saturday Shuttle service starting in I believe February. On weekends you primarily have leisure versus business travelers and the EMB-170 could be the perfect aircraft for this market. It is a nicer aircraft than the B737, will free up the A319s for Saturday service to the Caribbean and charter flights, where the yields and traffic are better.
Meanwhile, in order to obtain $140 million and reduce lease expenses by $80 million per year to improve cash flow with spiraling fuel prices and continue operating, the Company reached an agreement with GECAS to return 10 A319s in 2005 and 15 B737s in 2006 and 2007. Some or all of these aircraft may require heavy maintenance, which could be another cost savings.
See Story
According to the following news report, "US Airways' largest creditor is allowing the bankrupt carrier defer lease and debt payments in what could be a lifeline for the bankrupt airline. The pact also requires US Airways to extract more concessions from its labor unions," which all readers of this board should have known was coming .
See Story
Also notweworthy, the removal of these aircraft over time will buy the pilot group time to allow additional attrition to occur, which may not effect current manning.
US Airways has 10 A330-200s, 13 A321s, and 6 A320s on order previously scheduled for delivery in 2007 through 2009. In addition, the EMB-190 is scheduled for its first delivery in November 2005 to JetBlue. The JFK-based company intends to target US Airways’ and MidAtlantic flying in early 2006, which will create another problem for US Airways.
At the October 28 MDA Check Airman meeting management told the pilot’s that Embraer has 6 EMB-170s painted in US Airways’ livery sitting on the ramp with 3 more in production. With the EMB order suspended and not terminated, I expect these aircraft to resume deliveries in the second or third quarter of 2005.
In my opinion, especially considering today’s GECAS announcement, we could see EMB-190s also begin flying the Shuttle and other mainline routes at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Finally, if ALPA's RC4 and the other union's had cooperated with the company US Airways may have avoided bankruptcy and still would have the 279 aircraft fleet count in place.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
700UW responded: "Come February the Shuttle will be ALL Airbus."
USA320Pilot comments: During off peak times the Shuttle has about 30 or 40 passengers per flight and continues to lose money. The shuttle is operating better and US Airways has begun to take traffic traffic from Delta and Eagle, but the loads normally do not support a Boeing or Shuttle aircraft.
The Company announced that the Shuttle will return to all Airbus flying, changing the DCA-BOS service from a B737 to an A319, but I understand it will change equipment on the weekends.
It is my understanding a new schedule will be loaded into Sabre on December 4 and will include EMB-170 Saturday Shuttle service starting in I believe February. On weekends you primarily have leisure versus business travelers and the EMB-170 could be the perfect aircraft for this market. It is a nicer aircraft than the B737, will free up the A319s for Saturday service to the Caribbean and charter flights, where the yields and traffic are better.
Meanwhile, in order to obtain $140 million and reduce lease expenses by $80 million per year to improve cash flow with spiraling fuel prices and continue operating, the Company reached an agreement with GECAS to return 10 A319s in 2005 and 15 B737s in 2006 and 2007. Some or all of these aircraft may require heavy maintenance, which could be another cost savings.
See Story
According to the following news report, "US Airways' largest creditor is allowing the bankrupt carrier defer lease and debt payments in what could be a lifeline for the bankrupt airline. The pact also requires US Airways to extract more concessions from its labor unions," which all readers of this board should have known was coming .
See Story
Also notweworthy, the removal of these aircraft over time will buy the pilot group time to allow additional attrition to occur, which may not effect current manning.
US Airways has 10 A330-200s, 13 A321s, and 6 A320s on order previously scheduled for delivery in 2007 through 2009. In addition, the EMB-190 is scheduled for its first delivery in November 2005 to JetBlue. The JFK-based company intends to target US Airways’ and MidAtlantic flying in early 2006, which will create another problem for US Airways.
At the October 28 MDA Check Airman meeting management told the pilot’s that Embraer has 6 EMB-170s painted in US Airways’ livery sitting on the ramp with 3 more in production. With the EMB order suspended and not terminated, I expect these aircraft to resume deliveries in the second or third quarter of 2005.
In my opinion, especially considering today’s GECAS announcement, we could see EMB-190s also begin flying the Shuttle and other mainline routes at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Finally, if ALPA's RC4 and the other union's had cooperated with the company US Airways may have avoided bankruptcy and still would have the 279 aircraft fleet count in place.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
