Airline Industry Information - US Airways makes changes to cut costs

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

US Airways, operating under bankruptcy court supervision, is planning to tighten rules and enforce fees on its lowest fares in a bid to cut costs.

The airline has stated that it will honour nonrefundable tickets only on the flights for which they were purchased, and those tickets will have no value once the flight has departed. US Airways will also permit changes to a passenger’s itinerary before the flight is scheduled to depart, however restrictions and fees may apply.

Other changes incorporated by the airline include: passengers with nonrefundable tickets will not be allowed to go on standby status for alternate flights; customers who qualify for an electronic ticket but request a paper ticket will be charged a USD25 fee; and alcoholic beverages will no longer be free for economy passengers on transatlantic flights.

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