America West Airlines Granted Antitrust Immunity With Royal Jordanian

PHOENIX, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- America West Airlines , the nation's second largest low-cost carrier, today announced that it has received U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) antitrust immunity for its alliance with code-share partner Royal Jordanian, the full-service, international carrier serving more than 50 destinations in the Middle East, Far East, North Africa, Europe and North America. The DOT approval, issued on January 27, 2005, represents a historic milestone in the evolving U.S. aviation industry, as America West becomes the first low-cost carrier ever granted antitrust immunity with another carrier.

The DOT approval benefits customers by making possible faster connections and the addition of new travel destinations as the two carriers are now able to coordinate schedules, jointly serve existing markets and identify new markets for expansion. The arrangement also improves efficiencies as both carriers realize economies of scale and are able to offer joint fares that previously were not available. International passengers will have the opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles in one program of their choice instead of maintaining multiple accounts.

America West and Royal Jordanian entered into a comprehensive marketing alliance in 2004 that included reciprocal code-sharing, frequent flyer benefits and lounge access rights. Under the arrangement, which allowed America West to begin placing its code on Royal Jordanian flights between New York/JFK, Chicago/O'Hare, Detroit and Amman, Jordan, America West became the only U.S. carrier able to sell nonstop code-share service between the U.S. and Jordan, saving customers traveling to the Middle East valuable time versus connecting through Europe. Royal Jordanian, which began service to the U.S. in 1977, expanded its presence there by placing its code on America West domestic flights.

"The DOT grant of antitrust immunity allows us to build on the successful relationship we began with Royal Jordanian last year and further strengthen our presence in international markets," said Scott Kirby, America West's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "America West is the only low-cost carrier that partners with international airlines and these partnerships help us take our passengers to more destinations around the world than any of our low-cost competitors," he added.

Samer Majali, vice chairman, president & CEO of Royal Jordanian, said: "Jordan was the first non-European country to sign an open skies agreement with the United States, and Royal Jordanian is looking forward to closer commercial cooperation with America West. U.S. customers already benefit from our code-share agreement by flying nonstop to Jordan instead of through Europe. Now we will be able to work more closely with America West to improve service and provide greater benefits for both airlines' passengers."

In addition to the code-share benefits, members of America West's award-winning FlightFund program and Royal Jordanian's Royal Plus program can accrue and redeem miles on all scheduled flights operated by either airline, and America West Club members and Royal Jordanian elite members receive access to both airlines' lounges. To book a ticket, customers may call America West at 1-800-2-FLY-AWA (1-800-235-9292) or contact their travel agent. For additional information, customers may also visit http://www.americawest.com/alliances?c=12270816RJAT.

Code-sharing provides customers with more travel options by allowing one carrier to sell flights on another carrier by attaching its two-letter booking code to the other carrier's flights listed in worldwide computer reservations systems and online travel sites.

Royal Jordanian was founded in 1963 by the late King Hussein to be "a bridge between peoples." Today, the airline continues to fulfill that wish with year-round Airbus 340 flights nonstop from New York, Chicago and Detroit to Amman, in the heart of the Middle East, and with numerous connecting flights from modern Queen Alia Airport to cities across the entire Middle East and Far East.

America West Airlines is the nation's second largest low-cost airline and offers a range of services such as first class, assigned seating, airport clubs and an award-winning frequent flyer program. America West's 13,000 employees serve 55,000 customers a day on approximately 900 flights to 96 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. This press release and additional information on America West can be accessed at http://www.americawest.com/. (AWAG)

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