AMERICAN AIRLINES (AA) is optimistic it could receive regulatory approval to combine its operations with those of recently acquired US Airways under a single Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the second quarter of 2015. AA’s Chief Commerical Officer Robert Isom, said the integration of the two airlines was being undertaken as a series of nine ‘cycles’, noting the carriers were currently in cycle four but work was already under way on five to eight.
Aside from the single AOC, AA has outlined a timetable for several other significant stages – including moving to a combined reservations system, which will include the withdrawal of US Airways flight numbers, and the introduction of a new integrated operations centre in Fort Worth, both of which are expected in the latter part of 2015.
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US Airways is continuing to repaint its fleet into the American Airlines livery following the merger between the two carriers last year. This Piedmont Airlines Bombardier Dash 8-314, N329EN (c/n 290), is the first of the type to carry the new markings.
(JAY SELMAN)