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EXHIBIT 99.1
Contact: Patty Nowack
Janice Monahan
480/693-5729
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000
AMERICA WEST RELEASES OPERATING AND PERFORMANCE DATA
PHOENIX -- America West Holdings Corporation (NYSE:AWA), parent company
of America West Airlines, Inc., today released certain data regarding the
airline's fleet plan, unit costs, operating statistics, fuel and performance
statistics:
FLEET PLAN
America West Airlines' most recent fleet plan is outlined in the table below.
The plan includes four A319 deliveries in the fourth quarter 2000 to bring the
year-end fleet total to 138 aircraft.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Fleet Total Fleet
as of as of
12/31/00 2001 2002 12/31/02
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
B737-200 14 0 -2 12
B737-300 47 0 0 47
B757-200 13 0 0 13
A319 19 12 1 32
A320 45 3 3 51
--- -- -- ---
Total 138 15 2 155
Total Fleet Year-End 153 155 155
</TABLE>
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America West Holdings Corporation
Releases Operating and Performance Data / 2
UNIT COSTS
We have adjusted our cost projections to reflect the continued increase in fuel
costs. Our projected fourth quarter unit costs are expected to increase
year-over-year by 10-11% primarily due to higher fuel prices. Fourth quarter
cost per available seat mile (CASM) excluding fuel and tax is projected to
increase 2 to 3% over 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4Q00 Fcst
---------
<S> <C>
CASM - YOY% + 10-11%
CASM - YOY% (excl. fuel and tax) + 2-3%
</TABLE>
CAPACITY
October capacity was impacted by weather disruptions, which effected operations
in the first part of the month. For the quarter, capacity is projected to
increase between 6 and 7% over 1999. For 2001, available seat miles (ASMs) are
projected to increase 9 to 10%.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4Q00 Fcst Full Year 01 Fcst
--------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Capacity (ASMs) - YOY% + 6-7% +9-10%
</TABLE>
FUEL
Our forecasted fourth quarter fuel price, excluding tax, is 108.2 cents,
bringing the full year 2000 forecast to 88.3 cents. For 2001, fuel price is
forecast to be 91.1 cents for the full year. We are 20% hedged in the fourth
quarter of 2000 and are 34% hedged in the first quarter of 2001.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4Q00 Fcst Full Year 01 Fcst
--------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fuel Price (cents/gal excl. tax) 108.2 91.1
</TABLE>
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America West Holdings Corporation
Releases Operating and Performance Data / 3
OPERATING PERFORMANCE
October on-time performance (63.3%) and completion factor (95.2%) were
negatively impacted by weather in Phoenix at the beginning of the month and a
series of air traffic control outages. Excluding the 13 days during which ATC
outages or severe weather disrupted our operations, our performance in October
was similar to that of September. November operating performance has been better
than October due to improved weather offset by a high number of maintenance
aircraft out of service early in the month. Operating Performance during the
Thanksgiving holiday period was good. For the six-day holiday period (November
21 to 26), completion factors ranged from 98.4% to 100% and on-time performance
was approximately 78%.
This press release contains various forward-looking statements and
information that are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made
by and information currently available to management. When used in this release,
the words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "expect" and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject
to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated,
projected or expected. In addition to the factors identified above, among the
key factors that may have a direct bearing on the company's results are
competitive practices in the airline and travel industries generally and
particularly in the company's principal markets, the ability of the company to
meet existing financial obligations in the event of adverse industry or economic
conditions or to obtain additional capital to fund future commitments and
expansion, the company's relationship with employees and the terms of future
collective bargaining agreements and the impact of current and future laws and
governmental regulations affecting the airline and travel industries and the
company's operations. For additional discussion of such risks see "Business -
Risk Factors," included in Item 1 of the company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999 which is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as the date such
statements are made.
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America West Holdings Corporation
Releases Operating and Performance Data / 4
America West Holdings Corporation is an aviation and travel services
company with 1999 revenue of $2.2 billion. Wholly owned subsidiary America West
Airlines is the nation's ninth largest carrier serving 91 destinations with more
than 890 daily departures in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Leisure Company,
also a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the nation's largest tour packagers.
This press release, as well as releases issued in the past year by
America West Holdings and its affiliates, can be accessed on the company's Web
site at www.americawest.com.
-AWA-
