US Airways this week filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for route authority to serve the popular Caribbean destination of Belize from its Charlotte hub.

The airline is seeking approval to begin service in November 2002, using new state-of-the-art Airbus A319 aircraft, offering seating for 120 passengers with 12 seats in First Class and 108 seats in Coach Class. Up to four flights weekly will operate between Charlotte and Belize, situated on the east coast of Central America.

“The addition of Belize strengthens further US Airways’ Caribbean network, and increases the number of jet destinations in the Caribbean that we serve from Charlotte to 13, offering convenient connections through this important hub,” said Douglas Leo, vice president of international. “Belize is an attractive and popular destination with a strong tourism infrastructure.”

Belize, bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, is at the heart of the Caribbean basin, with a barrier reef 185 miles long—the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Belize, with an English-speaking population of 200,000, is rated among the world’s top destinations for scuba-diving.

In a separate filing last week, US Airways applied to the DOT for route authority to serve Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, from Charlotte with four flights weekly, also starting in November.

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, 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.

US Airways currently serves the following Caribbean destinations: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cancun, Cozumel, Freeport, 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.

Reporters needing additional information should contact US Airways Corporate Communications at (703) 872-5100.

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