US AIRWAYS: OBERSTAR MISREPRESENTS GAO REPORT

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 20, 2000 -- US Airways issued the following statement in response to Rep. James Oberstar’s release today of a General Accounting Office report on the US Airways-United Airlines merger:

"Congressman Oberstar has stretched the GAO report to serve his own agenda. He has used it to make a statement that has no basis in that report – or in reality: that it would be better for 
US Airways to close its doors than for this merger to be approved. This statement is an insult to US Airways’ 45,000 employees and their families, reflects a careless disregard for the 202 communities US Airways serves – and in no way is supported by the GAO’s report. His suggestion is as baseless as it is reckless. It may serve Mr. Oberstar’s parochial interests – but it does not take into account the jobs of tens of thousands of workers in other states, the communities they serve – or the actual findings of the GAO report itself.

"That report, while raising questions about the United-US Airways merger in some respects, does acknowledge that the "merger would benefit consumers in three major ways," including expanding competition in numerous markets, improving service for many consumers, and enhancing opportunities for frequent flyers. Given that the report, on its own terms, failed to take into account US Airways’ financial position – and given that the status quo is not an option – the GAO’s mixed review of the merger, based on this partial data, is no surprise. Rep. Oberstar’s efforts to stretch these findings for his political benefit may also not be a surprise, but it is certainly disappointing."

Reporters needing additional information should contact US Airways Corporate Communications at (703) 872-5100.