* US Airways to trim staff by 1,000
* Carrier to focus on "key network strengths"
* Shares up 3 pct
CHICAGO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - US Airways Group (LCC.N) said
on Wednesday it would cut its staff by 1,000, or 3 percent, and
shift its operations to focus on four key cities and its
shuttle service, a move it hopes will return the airline to
profitability.
The carrier said it would concentrate on its "core network
strengths," which are its hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia and
Phoenix, as well as Washington D.C. and its shuttle between New
York, Boston and Washington.
US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a statement
that the shift was "intended to focus on our key network
strengths."
The airline said it would reduce service in Las Vegas and
close stations in Colorado Springs and Wichita. The company
said it would reposition its crew bases in Philadelphia,
Charlotte, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. by closing bases in
Boston, LaGuardia and Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas and LaGuardia bases are expected to close on
Jan. 31, and Boston will close on May 2, 2010, the airline
said. The staff reductions will occur in the first half of
2010, US Airways said.
Shares of US Airways were up 9 cents or 2.9 percent at
$3.23 on Wednesday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange.
(Reporting by Kyle Peterson, editing by Matthew Lewis)
