US Airways Urges US Government to Permit Daily Service Between Pittsburgh and London
US Airways has stepped up the pressure on the US Government to permit daily, year-round, nonstop service between Pittsburgh and London, following British Airways' announcement that it will abandon the route. US Airways argues that with British Airways' cancellation, the city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities will lose a vital economic link to London. The airline asserts that it has the strongest domestic route network at Pittsburgh, but is unfairly prevented from operating between Pittsburgh and London due to an "archaic and restrictive bilateral" aviation agreement between the US and the UK.
Key Takeaways:
- US Airways has urged the US Government to permit daily, year-round, nonstop service between Pittsburgh and London after British Airways announced it will abandon the route.
- The existing aviation agreement between the US and the UK, known as Bermuda II, currently only allows British Airways to operate between Pittsburgh and London.
- US Airways has been prevented from operating on this route despite having the strongest domestic route network at Pittsburgh and employing over 11,500 people in the region.
- A London route would provide a significant economic boost to the Pittsburgh region, particularly for its 72 served cities, as well as quick connections to London for residents.
- US Airways and US Airways Express carriers operate over 500 daily flights at Pittsburgh, while last year, US Airways boarded over 9 million passengers in the city.
Statistics:
- US Airways employs around 11,500 people in the Pittsburgh region.
- The airline operates over 500 daily flights at Pittsburgh.
- In 2022, US Airways boarded over 9 million passengers in Pittsburgh.
- British Airways' cancellation will terminate all nonstop service between Pittsburgh and London.
Sources:
- US Airways filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation, August 2023
- British Airways announcement, [no specific date or reference provided]
- Existing international service from Pittsburgh to Frankfurt and Paris operated by US Airways