US Airways Reports Record October 2009 Load Factor

US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) today announced October and year-to-date 2009 traffic results. Mainline revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for the month were 4.7 billion, down 0.8 percent versus October 2008. Capacity was 5.7 billion available seat miles (ASMs), down 1.6 percent versus October 2008. Passenger load factor for the month of October was a record 82.6 percent, up 0.7 points versus October 2008.

US Airways President Scott Kirby said, “Our October consolidated (mainline and Express) passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) decreased approximately 10 percent versus the same period last year while total revenue per available seat mile decreased approximately 9 percent on a year-over-year basis. The revenue outlook continues to show material signs of improvement with continued strength in both close-in bookings and yields.”

For the month of October, US Airways’ preliminary on-time performance as reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was 82.1 percent with a completion factor of 99.2 percent.

US Airways is also providing a brief update on notable company accomplishments during the month of October:

* Announced the realignment of its operations to focus on the airline's core network strengths, which include hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Phoenix (PHX), and a focus city at Washington's National Airport (DCA). Those four cities, as well as the airline's popular hourly Shuttle service between New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Boston (BOS) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), will serve as the cornerstone of the airline's network. By the end of 2010 they will represent 99 percent of the ASMs versus roughly 93 percent today.

* Began offering customers access to more than 250 airport clubs worldwide, including all US Airways Clubs, Continental’s Presidents Clubs, United’s Red Carpet Clubs and Star Alliance lounges with the purchase of a single, standard US Airways Club membership. US Airways currently offers 17 Clubs located in 13 cities across the United States and one Envoy Lounge in Philadelphia.

* Announced a new corporate sponsorship to become the official airline of the Philadelphia Flyers. Aside from billing as the official airline of the Philadelphia Flyers, US Airways will feature in-game promotions and contests for fans and showcase rink-side dasher board signage at Flyers home games at the Wachovia Center.