ARLINGTON, Va., June 3, 2002—US Airways announced today the launch of “GoCaribbean,” a new cooperation and marketing initiative with three regional Caribbean airlines. The initiative will include affiliation through US Airways’ Dividend Miles frequent traveler program, US Airways Vacations, and in some markets, code sharing.

US Airways is currently finalizing agreements that will enable the three airlines—Caribbean Star Airlines, Nevis Express and WINAIR (Windward Island Airways International)—to operate as US Airways’ associate carriers, providing flight connections linked with existing US Airways Caribbean gateways.

GoCaribbean plans to offer additional service to 14 island destinations, representing further major growth of US Airways’ Caribbean network. Currently, US Airways serves 16 Caribbean destinations from its Philadelphia, Charlotte and Pittsburgh hubs, and has recently announced plans to add three more routes.

Caribbean Star, Nevis Express and WINAIR together intend to provide convenient connections linking four US Airways destinations—Antigua, Barbados, San Juan and St. Maarten—with the following Caribbean points: Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Nevis, Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Tobago and Tortola.

The GoCaribbean initiative will start on July 15 with services provided under a code share agreement with Nevis Express linking San Juan with St. Kitts and Nevis. Other elements of the GoCaribbean program are expected to be added during the summer and fall this year.

“GoCaribbean is an exciting development that will build substantially on US Airways’ continuing successful growth of its Caribbean service network,” said Douglas Leo, US Airways’ vice president of international. “These new agreements will enable us to increase our frequency of flights to many Caribbean destinations that we currently serve less than daily, while adding a significant number of new destinations to our overall network.”

“US Airways is delighted to enter this marketing and cooperation relationship with Caribbean Star, Nevis Express and WINAIR, offering increased convenience and travel benefits for our customers. This initiative provides the flexibility for travelers to plan short-stay trips and multi-destination vacations.”

Under recent filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation, US Airways has obtained route authority between San Juan and St. Maarten, which complements its existing authority to St. Kitts and Nevis. US Airways intends to operate services from San Juan to St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis under a code share agreement with Nevis Express.

Nevis Express, based in St. Kitts Nevis, intends to operate flights connecting with US Airways’ San Juan and St. Maarten gateways using 19-seat Beech 1900 aircraft. “We are excited to be part of the GoCaribbean network and to share our 10 years of experience as a U.S.-certificated airline with this important initiative,” said Alan Haddadi, president of Nevis Express. “We will undertake a key role in helping US Airways develop new Caribbean markets.”

Caribbean Star, based in Antigua, intends to operate flights connecting with US Airways Antigua, St. Maarten and Barbados gateways using 37-seat Dash-8-100s and 50-seat Dash-8-300s.

“Caribbean Star is very proud of its association with US Airways and looks forward to developing the relationship,” said Paul Moreira, chief executive officer with Caribbean Star. “We will be stimulating tourism throughout the eastern Caribbean region by introducing visitors from the U.S. and Canada. Our partnership will also provide seamless access to the U.S. and Canada for Caribbean-originating travelers.”

WINAIR, based in St. Maarten, intends to operate flights connecting with US Airways’ St. Maarten gateway using 19-seat DeHaviland Twin Otter aircraft. “WINAIR brings over 40 years of experience as a regional Caribbean airline and we have worked very hard to maintain a tradition of quality air service to the many unique Caribbean destinations we serve,” said John Strugnell, chief executive officer with WINAIR. “We know that our network will serve to further enhance the GoCaribbean product for travel to these islands and provide a quality, affordable alternative for our originating passengers.” Details of fares, destination options and flight schedules available through GoCaribbean will be announced shortly.

US Airways last week announced that it has received approval from the DOT for route authority to serve Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Belize, situated on the east coast of Central America, each with four flights weekly. Both services will operate from Charlotte, starting in November, subject to foreign government approvals. Additionally, US Airways has announced that it will introduce new weekly service between Philadelphia and the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, starting Dec. 7, 2002, also subject to foreign government approval.

With St. Kitts, Providenciales and Belize, US Airways will offer jet service to 19 destinations in the Caribbean. Additional Caribbean points are served by US Airways Express carriers. “Our GoCaribbean initiative, together with our planned new routes will increase our Caribbean network to more than 30 destinations, ” added Leo. “US Airways’ growth brings significant tourism and business benefits, for both the U.S. and the Caribbean, and especially will help stimulate the economies of our Caribbean destinations.”

US Airways currently serves the following Caribbean destinations: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cancun, Cozumel, Grand Bahama Island, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, Santo Domingo, St. Croix, St. Lucia, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. US Airways Express also serves North Eleuthera, Governors Harbour, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay from Florida.

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