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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
September 15, 1997
AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Delaware 1-10140 86-0418245
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
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4000 E. Sky Harbor Boulevard
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(602) 693-0800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Item 5. OTHER EVENTS
The press release issued on September 15, 1997 by America West Holdings
Corporation, the parent corporation of America West Airlines, Inc., is filed as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the contents of such
Exhibit are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 -- Press Release dated September 15, 1997.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Johnson
_____________________________________
Stephen L. Johnson
Senior Vice President--Legal Affairs
Date: September 19, 1997
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Exhibit 99.1
[LOGO]
AMERICA WEST HOLDINGS CORPORATION news RELEASE
Contact: Patty Nowack
Phoenix, AZ (PDT)
602/693-5729
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Sept. 15, 1997
AMERICA WEST HOLDINGS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
AIRBUS AIRCRAFT ORDER
PHOENIX (NYSE:AWA) - America West Holdings Corporation announced today
a restructuring and expansion of the arrangements between its subsidiary,
America West Airlines, Inc., and Airbus Industrie, pursuant to which the Airline
will purchase 22 Airbus A319-100 aircraft and 12 Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The
announcement follows 18 months of negotiations between America West and Airbus
and concludes definitive arrangements which were announced preliminarily in
September of last year. The list price value of the firm order aircraft is $1.4
billion, before purchase price discounts which were not disclosed.
The restructured arrangements provide improvements in pricing and,
subject to the conclusion of satisfactory arrangements with an engine
manufacturer, financing assistance on between 12 and 16 aircraft and "backstop"
financing in connection with the remainder of the firmly ordered aircraft.
"This order represents a major milestone for America West and replaces
the agreements made prior to and during the Airline's bankruptcy with an order
providing significantly improved commercial terms," said W.A. Franke, America
West Holdings chairman and chief executive officer. "The new arrangements also
provide enhanced fleet management flexibility and will permit the Airline to
grow, replace aircraft and continue to provide our customers with a young,
modern fleet.
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In addition, the commonality of the aircraft with our existing Airbus fleet
ensures that the A319 can be flown and maintained by the Airline's A320 pilots
and mechanics," said Franke.
"Keeping our airline customers sold is a top priority at Airbus," said
Jean Pierson, managing director of Airbus Industrie. "It is rewarding that
America West has once again chosen to drive its future fleet plan with the A320
family, and in particular, with the A319. We look forward to a long and mutually
beneficial partnership with Bill Franke and his team."
The firm portion of the order is structured as a commitment for 22
A319s and 24 A320s, 12 of which are subject to reconfirmation. The firm order
aircraft will be delivered to America West in 1998 through 2001. America West
currently operates a fleet of 26 A320 aircraft. The A319, the smaller of the
A320 family of aircraft, will be new to the America West fleet and is expected
to be configured with 124 to 128 seats in two classes. The order includes
options to purchase an additional 40 A320 family aircraft during 2001- 2005 and
certain rights to convert firmly ordered A319s and A320s to larger A321
aircraft.
America West Holdings Corporation is an aviation and travel services
company with annual sales of more than $1.7 billion. Wholly owned subsidiary
America West Airlines is the nation's ninth largest airline serving more than 90
destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
-AWA-
