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.
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)