US Airways has announced its on-time performance for Dec. 2007 ranked
first among the 10 largest carriers as measured by the U.S. Department
of Transportation.This achievement resulted in a $1.8 million payment to the
airline’s 36,000 employees with each employee receiving a $50 bonus.

According to the DOT’s December Air Traveler Consumer Report, US Airways’ arrival rate of 74.5 percent placed the airline in the number one spot in on-time performance among the 10 largest U.S. carriers, and third among the 20 airlines that the Department tracks.

President Scott Kirby said, “What a terrific way to close out 2007 and a fitting testament to the efforts of our 36,000 employees. Our top on-time performance occurred during one of the most heavily traveled time periods of the year, and one that is usually fraught with challenging winter weather as well. In spite of those challenges, our employees worked together and ran a great airline; we couldn’t be happier to make these payments and look forward to achieving similar monthly results in 2008.”

US Airways pays $50 to employees in months where its on-time performance is in the top three of the ten largest U.S. airlines. The December payout was the airline’s first top three on-time performance since March of 2006 and is evidence of the success of the operational improvement plan announced in April 2007. In addition to establishing key operational performance metrics, US Airways has also launched a $315 million investment in its product and operation infrastructure. Some of the upgrades include improved food and beverage offerings in coach and premium class cabins, new interiors on international Boeing 767 aircraft, and key executive assignments for the airline’s East Coast operations.
——-