America West Airlines today announced the
election of Jeffrey D. McClelland as senior vice president, operations and
assistant manager of the Airline`s operations group.  McClelland comes to
America West with eleven years` experience in the airline industry including
airline operations and finance positions with Northwest Airlines, where he was
a senior vice president.  McClelland, 40, will work with Gil Mook, executive
vice president and chief operating officer, directing America West`s
operations.  Initially, McClelland will concentrate on restructuring and
improving the Airline`s maintenance and engineering functions.
 
“We are pleased to add Jeff to the America West team,” said W. A. Franke,
chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “Jeff fits the mold of the
leaders who have been responsible for the Company`s expansion and success over
the last five years—energetic, well trained and well educated.  Jeff`s
impact on the Airline`s performance should be positive and immediate.”

During his eight years at Northwest Airlines, McClelland held a variety of
key operating and senior management positions, and his responsibilities and
accomplishments included:

* Management of Northwest`s daily fleet operations of 400 aircraft
      including flight dispatch and crew scheduling.

* Oversight of review of Northwest`s maintenance organization.

* Implementation of a crew scheduling program.

* Responsibility for financial control of Northwest`s $800 million
      annual operating budget for aircraft maintenance.

* Development of project plan for the life extension of Northwest`s
      170 DC9 aircraft.

* Implementation of a fuel management process.

* And, most recently, oversight of financial planning and accounting
      functions.

Prior to joining Northwest, McClelland worked for three years at American
Airlines where his responsibilities included analytical work in support of new
flying opportunities, route profitability systems, and aircraft deployment and
retirements.  McClelland also spent six years as a pilot, flight instructor
and aviation safety officer with the United States Navy.
 
“Jeff McClelland is an accomplished and successful airline executive,”
said Mook.  “His broad experience and demonstrated leadership will prove
valuable as we accelerate our efforts to make America West one of the very
best run airlines.”

McClelland holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from
Northwestern University and earned a master`s of business administration at
Stanford University.

McClelland is married and has three children.  He and his family will
relocate to the Phoenix area in October.

America West Airlines, the nation`s ninth largest carrier, serves more
than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  America West Airlines is
a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation (NYSE: AWA), an
aviation and travel services company with 1998 sales of $2.0 billion.

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