US Airways on Alliances, Hubs & Growth Plans
Brian Council, senior manager of international route planning, US Airways
How does US Airways feel about being one of three major USA airlines in Star Alliance?
Size is an attribute of a global alliance that brings value to the customer. The number of markets served by Star Alliance's US member airlines - US Airways, Continental and United - can offer more destinations and connecting opportunities than competing global alliances. The value to US Airways is that United/Mileage Plus members and Continental/OnePass members are now incentified to fly on US Airways, and US Airways/Dividend Miles members have greater reason to place their travel loyalty with us.
What is the strategy behind developing Charlotte as a hub?
We have gradually grown Charlotte in the past three years and new international destinations have included Rome, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal, Ottawa, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. Overall Charlotte has an efficient airport, a strong business base for a city of its size and our team there runs a solid operation.
Does US Airways intend to expand its international route network?
In late 2011 we plan to launch service from Charlotte to Sao Paulo, our second destination in South America following our new Charlotte-Rio service last year. Prior to 2008-2009, we typically added two to three new European cities per year, but growth will probably be slower in future years. In several years we will begin taking delivery of new A350s, which will open up new market possibilities.
What do you want to achieve at World Routes this year?
I think everyone realises that a new route is not going to be negotiated start-to-finish in a 20- minute meeting. However it can be informative to learn about a new destination, and follow up later if there are questions. It's also valuable to talk to our existing airport partners. More than once there has been a potential problem at an existing airport of ours, and I have picked up the phone and called someone whom I originally had met at a Routes conference. Without having previously met this person face-to-face I don't know how I would have moved forward to solve the issue. Our main goals for Vancouver are to meet people and have discussions with our current airports.
* US Airways Airline Briefing is today at 13:50-14:40 in the Route Exchange Lounge.
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