CHICAGO – July 6, 2000 – United Airlines Senior Vice President
for International, Regulatory and Government Affairs Shelley
Longmuir today thanked the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
for its backing of the United/US Airways merger proposal.
Greater Philadelphia Chamber Senior Vice President Joseph Mahoney
signaled his support for the merger at a field hearing conducted by
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) on June 26, at the U.S. Courthouse in
Philadelphia, PA.
"We at the Chamber support the combination of United and US
Airways," Mahoney’s statement began. "It is our belief that this
combination will bring enhanced service to Philadelphia and open
routes not currently served in a direct flight mode. Increased
service east/west as well as additional destinations in Europe will
better position our airport as well as our businesses for the global
economy.
"We have seen Philadelphia International Airport grow over the
years, and truly become an economic engine for our region,"
Mahoney’s statement continued. "We believe that there was a
correlation between this growth and the fact that we had become a
major hub for US Airways international service. US Airways’ annual
expenditures in Philadelphia total $528 million. Since 1996, they
alone have added 28 destinations. In fact, many companies have told
us the importance of obtaining more flights out of Philadelphia.
These companies have said that one of the reasons for locating their
facilities here was the ease of air transportation, particularly
internationally, as well as the favorable cost of living compared to
other cities along the northeast corridor."
Longmuir, who participated in the field hearing, was pleased to
learn of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber’s support. "We strongly
believe in the consumer benefits this merger will bring. As the
leading voice for Philadelphia business, the Greater
Philadelphia Chamber is recognizing the benefits that consumers and
business travelers will enjoy from the combined carrier, she
said."
The merger of United Airlines and US Airways will mean more
non-stop flights from Philadelphia to the western United States,
Europe and the Caribbean, along with improved access to destinations
in Asia and Latin America. United plans to offer non-stop or
one-stop service to 273 domestic and international destinations.
That is 102 more destinations than US Airways currently serves from
Philadelphia and 114 more than United serves today.
United plans to offer Philadelphia passengers the only daily
non-stop service to these U.S. cities: San Jose, CA; Portland, OR;
and Orange County, CA. United also plans to introduce the only
non-stop service to four international destinations: Amsterdam,
Brussels, Vancouver, and Barbados, and to add new non-stop service
to Frankfurt, Germany. US Airways travelers in Philadelphia will
also have more access to international destinations than ever before
through United’s Star Alliance partners.
United Airlines offers more than 2,400 scheduled flights a day on
a route network that spans the globe.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995
: This press release contains
certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
are based on management’s current expectations and are naturally
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results
may vary materially from the expectations contained herein. The
forward-looking statements contained herein include statements about
future financial and operating results and benefits of the pending
merger between United and US Airways. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those described herein
include: industry capacity decisions; the airline pricing
environment; competitors’ route decisions; the inability to obtain
regulatory approvals; actions of the U.S., foreign and local
governments; domestic and international travel patterns; the
inability to successfully integrate the businesses of United and US
Airways; costs related to the merger; the inability to achieve cost
cutting synergies resulting from the merger; labor integration
issues; the economic environment of the airline industry and the
general economic environment. More detailed information about these
factors is set forth in the reports filed by United and US Airways
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither United nor US
Airways is under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such
obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
