America West Holdings Corporation
(NYSE: AWA) announced today the election of C.A. Howlett as senior vice
president, public affairs of America West Holdings and America West Airlines,
Inc.  Howlett will continue to be responsible for federal, state and local
government relations, congressional and legislative affairs, and community
service for the Holding Company, the Airline and America West`s leisure travel
subsidiary, The Leisure Company.

Howlett joined America West in January 1995 as vice president, public
affairs.  Prior to joining America West, Howlett maintained a government
relations practice as a principal at the Phoenix law firm Lewis and Roca.  He
has more than 25 years of professional experience, including senior positions
with Salt River Project, the City of Phoenix and the White House, where he
served as special assistant to President Ronald Reagan for intergovernmental
affairs.

Howlett has been a long-time Phoenix business and community leader,
serving as chairman of the Phoenix Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the
Fiesta Bowl, the Phoenix and Valley of the Sun Convention and Visitor`s
Bureau, and Grand Canyon State Games.  He also serves on the board of
directors of the Arizona State Chamber of Commerce, Herberger Theater, Barrow
Neurological Institute Foundation and University of Colorado Alumni
Association.  He has also been active politically, serving on numerous
senatorial, congressional and gubernatorial campaign committees.
 
Howlett received his bachelor`s degree in political science and economics
in 1965 and his master`s degree in public administration in 1967, both from
the University of Colorado.
 
America West Holdings Corporation is an aviation and travel services
company with 1998 sales of $2.0 billion.  Wholly owned subsidiary America West
Airlines is the nation`s ninth largest airline serving more than 90
destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  The Leisure Company, also a
wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the nation`s largest tour packagers.
 
This press release, as well as releases issued in the past year by America
West Holdings and its affiliates, can be accessed on the America West Internet
site at http://www.americawest.com.

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