America West Holdings Corporation
(NYSE: AWA) today announced that its board of directors had approved a major
reorganization of the senior management of its subsidiary, America West
Airlines, Inc.  William A. Franke, chairman of the board and chief executive
officer of America West Holdings, will reassume the duties of president and
chief executive officer of America West Airlines.  W. Douglas Parker, formerly
the Airline`s senior vice president and chief financial officer, was elected
executive vice president, and Gilbert D. Mook, formerly a senior operations
officer with Federal Express Corporation, was elected executive vice president
and chief operating officer.  Both Parker and Mook will join the boards of
directors of America West Holdings and the Airline.
 
The central element of the reorganization is the establishment of two new
corporate organizations, the operations group, lead by Mook, and the corporate
group, headed by Parker, and the repositioning of the Airline`s existing
division structure under those umbrellas.
 
“These changes include the promotion of one of the Company`s most
effective leaders and the addition of a very experienced and proven airline
executive to our operations team,” said Franke.  “The reorganization is
intended to improve our management focus on operations and underline our
commitment to safety, will allow us to effectively pursue the growth of the
Airline and will provide an opportunity to develop our management team from
within the Company.  I intend to continue my focus on strategic issues and the
board and I are counting on Doug and Gil to run the Airline on a day-to-day
basis.”
 
Parker, 37, joined America West in 1995 as senior vice president and chief
financial officer.  In 1997 his duties were expanded to include responsibility
for the Airline`s planning, scheduling and revenue management.  As executive
vice president, corporate, Parker will oversee the Airline`s finance, planning
and revenue management, sales and marketing, information systems and corporate
affairs divisions.  Parker was also elected executive vice president of
America West Holdings.
 
“Over the last four years, Doug`s progress as a manager and a leader has
been noteworthy and his contributions to the success of the Company have been
significant,” noted Franke.  “The development of the Airline`s growth
strategy, the effectiveness of our finance and planning divisions and Doug`s
demonstrated ability to recruit talented individuals to America West are
testament to his abilities.”
 
During his 15 years with Federal Express, Mook, 56,  held a wide variety
of operating and other management positions.  In his last position, senior
vice president, air operations division, Mook ran the Federal Express air
division, an airline with 8,500 employees and 590 aircraft and an annual
operating budget of $3.4 billion.  Mook`s experience includes work at General
Dynamics, directing projects related to that company`s military aircraft
business, and nine years as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force,
where he flew numerous frontline fighter aircraft, had two tours of duty and
flew more than 300 combat missions in Vietnam and served as a member of the
Thunderbirds, the Air Force`s flight demonstration team.
 
As executive vice president and chief operating officer, Mook will oversee
the Airline`s operations including maintenance and engineering, flight
operations, airport operations, customer service, inflight services and
safety.
 
“Gil Mook brings a wealth of airline operating and related experience to
America West and we are very pleased to add him to our team,” said Franke.
“His skills and experience will prove invaluable as we continue our
initiatives to improve the Airline`s operations, customer service and
frontline employee relations.”
 
Separately, Richard Goodmanson has advised that he will leave the Company
to take a very senior position in another industry and he expects to make a
formal announcement in that regard in the near future.
 
“I want to offer my sincere thanks to Richard for his significant
contributions to the Airline over the last three years,” Franke stated.
“Richard leaves America West with our congratulations and best wishes for
success in his new position.”
 
The reorganization includes two other appointments.  Ronald A. Aramini,
senior vice president, operations, will take the additional title of assistant
operations group manager, reporting to Mook.  Stephen L. Johnson, formerly
senior vice president, corporate affairs, is appointed to the new post of
senior vice president and chief administrative officer and will serve as
assistant corporate group manager, reporting to Parker.  Johnson`s duties will
be expanded as oversight of the Airline`s labor relations, fuel administration
and purchasing are added to his existing responsibilities for legal and
corporate affairs, real estate and media relations.
 
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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