Struggling US Airways to Cut 1,000 Jobs

Airline Also Scales Back Schedule, Focusing Only on Its Hubs and Cutting International Routes

(CBS/AP)  Struggling US Airways said on Wednesday it will cut some 1,000 jobs next year, shift nearly all of its flying to its three hubs and Washington, and suspend several international routes.

It's a major retrenchment, and Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said he hopes it gets the airline making money again.

US Airways Group Inc. said the job cuts will happen in the first half 2010 and will include 600 passenger and ramp service workers, 200 pilots, and about 150 flight attendants. The airline will close crew bases in Las Vegas and at LaGuardia airport in New York on Jan. 31, and in Boston on May 2.

It's also scaling back international flying. It is suspending flying between Philadelphia and London Gatwick; Birmingham, England; Milan, Italy; Shannon, Ireland; and Stockholm. US Airways is also formally giving up its government permission to fly between Philadelphia and Beijing, which it had never used.

The former USAir rebranded itself as US Airways in 1996. Beginning in 2004, it merged with America West Airlines, retaining the US Airways name but moving its headquarters to America West's Phoenix hub. The merger did help trim costs as planned, but the new airline had continued to struggle with fuel costs, regulatory issues, and low customer service ratings.

[FormerRepublican]

I intentionally avoid flying U. S. Air because they tack on every possible additional fee to wring money out of their customers. It seems the only way to send them a message is to hit them in their wallet otherwise, they do not seem to get it. Maybe they should re-think the infamous baggage fees and some of the other charges they have led the industry in creating and people like me will come back. Until then, I'll spend my money with airlines like Southwest and U. S. Air can go under for all I care. Good luck spending that $30 baggage fee you aren't getting from me guys!