Moves The Result Of DOJ-Mandated Slot Divestitures

American Airlines Group has announced planned network adjustments resulting from the required divestiture of slots and related assets at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The divestitures, which enabled American Airlines and US Airways to complete their merger, were mandated by the previously announced settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the States of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

As a result of the 52 slot pair divestitures at DCA required by the DOJ, American will no longer operate year-round, daily nonstop service to 17 destinations from DCA.  Customers in these communities will still have access to DCA, which remains a key hub for American, through connecting flights from one or more of the airline's other eight hubs.  

Communities no longer receiving year-round, daily service include:

• Augusta, GA
• Detroit, MI
• Fayetteville, NC
• Fort Walton Beach, FL
• Islip, NY
• Jacksonville, NC
• Little Rock, AR
• Minneapolis, MN
• Montreal, Canada
• Myrtle Beach, SC
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Omaha, NE
• Pensacola, FL
• San Diego, CA
• Savannah, GA
• Tallahassee, FL
• Wilmington, NC

 
Effective dates for the changes at DCA will be announced after the sale of slots and related assets is finalized in the coming weeks. American is currently working through the DOJ-approved divestiture process which includes transition agreements with acquiring airlines to minimize the disruption to customers. Customers in Washington, D.C., and on the West Coast will benefit from other schedule changes, as American will soon add a second daily nonstop frequency between DCA and Los Angeles by shifting US Airways' current San Diego flight to Los Angeles.

In addition, American will adjust its service to Fort Myers, FL, moving from year-round service to a seasonal schedule.

As a result of the DOJ-required 17 slot pair divestitures at LGA, American will no longer operate nonstop service to Atlanta, Cleveland and Minneapolis. However, changes to the schedule made possible by the combined network of American and US Airways will provide opportunities for new service to 10 communities.  New service from LGA includes:

• Charlottesville, VA
• Little Rock, AR
• Roanoke, VA
• Dayton, OH
• Louisville, KY
• Wilmington, NC
• Greensboro, NC
• Norfolk, VA
• Knoxville, TN
• Richmond, VA

"We are excited about moving forward as the new American Airlines, which will fly more customers to more places than ever before," said Andrew Nocella, senior vice president and chief marketing officer – American Airlines. "Washington Reagan and LaGuardia will continue to be a key part of the new American's network. In an effort to minimize any impact that our DOJ-required slot divestitures would have on small- and medium-size communities, we felt it was important to make this announcement now. We know how important this service is to the people and the communities affected, and we hope that our competitors who acquire our slots and gates will maintain service to the impacted cities. While these divestitures were necessary, we remain excited about offering new service between LaGuardia and these key communities."

"These service changes are not expected to impact our employees, whose efforts and support enabled us to create the world's greatest airline," said Scott Kirby, president – American Airlines. "We continue to make excellent progress on our integration efforts, and look forward to delivering on the promise of the new American for our customers, employees, communities and shareholders as soon as possible."

In December 2013, American and US Airways finalized the DOJ-approved sale of slots and related assets at LGA with agreements that allow the appropriate time for American and the acquiring airlines to transition their operations and minimize the disruption to customers.

FMI: www.aa.com