As reported today in the Department of Transportation`s (DOT) monthly Air Travel Consumer Report, America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA) continues its trend in performance improvements. In October 2002, the airline operated 82.4 percent of its flights on time, based on parameters established by the DOT. Year-to-date, America West`s on-time performance is 83.9 percent, ranking it second among the major airlines. In Phoenix, the airline operated 84 percent of its flights on time in October 2002, making it the number one airline for the month. America West also ranks number one for year-to-date on-time performance in its primary hub.

The biggest improvement for the airline in October was the 75 percent decrease in customer complaints from 3.08 per 100,000 customers in October 2001 to 0.77 in October 2002. These are the airline`s lowest complaint levels since 1996.

America West`s percentage of cancelled flights in October 2002 was one percent, which is equivalent to the industry average for the month. The airline also reported 3.13 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers in October 2002, an 11 percent improvement from October 2001.

America West also provided outstanding operational performance during the peak Thanksgiving holiday travel period from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002. During that period, the airline`s on-time performance was 84.1 percent. The percentage of cancelled flights was 0.7 percent, while the percentage of seats filled (passenger load factor) was 80.9 percent. Sunday, Dec. 1, was the highest single revenue and revenue per available seat mile (RASM) day in America West history with passenger load factors of 92 percent and estimated total passenger revenue of more than $10 million.

America West Airlines is the nation`s largest low-fare, hub-and-spoke airline. Founded in 1983, it is the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. Today, America West is the nation`s eighth-largest carrier and serves 93 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. America West is a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation, an aviation and travel services company with 2001 sales of $2.1 billion.

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