note
Founded in August of 1981 by Edward Beauvais and Michael Roach as a scheduled low-fare airline. America West started operations in August 1983 using 3 Boeing 737-200s. In 1987 FAA asked airline to change its callsign"America West" because of frequent confusion with other "West" callsigns. AWE picked "Cactus" as its new callsign. Over the years America West developed extensive network connecting major western destination with hubs at Phoenix and Las Vegas. These are also connected with resorts in western Mexico and Mexico City. Recent expansion into intercontinental market saw creation of its mini-hub at Columbus, Ohio. Constantly struggling carrier since its creation, America West modernized its fleet with the purchase of Airbus A320/319 making it the launch U.S. customer of the type and paved way for Airbus to enter U.S. market with large scale orders. America West has become "Major" in 1990 when its revenues topped $1 billion. It was the first airline founded after deregulation in 1978 to achieve "Major" status.Big Sky Airlines provide America West with its regional service throughout Montana and neighboring states connecting with America West flights at Denver and Spokane. Several regional carriers provided service for America West Express using their aircraft in America West Express color scheme. Those encompass code sharing agreement with Mesa Airlines in the west, Air Midwest in the Midwest and Chautauqua Airlines in the east. Canadiar RJ, Embraer RJ and de Havilland Dash-8's are used on these flights. America West filed for bankruptcy June 27, 1991 and operated that way until August 25, 1994. A merger agreement with US Airways was announced in May 2005. US Airways Group subsidiaries merged into America West Airlines, with "New" US Airways Group operating US Airways, America West, and US Airways Group regional carriers. That transaction closed September 27, 2005. America West flights began code sharing as US Airways early in 2006. On September 26, 2007 America West and US Airways combined operations onto US Airways operating certificate.
founded - demised (age)
August 1 1981 - September 26 2007 (26)
headquarters
111 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
