US Airways today filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for route authority to operate new nonstop roundtrip service to the Irish destinations of Dublin and Shannon from its Philadelphia hub.

The airline is seeking approval to begin seasonal summer service in May 2003. Service on both routes will be flown using Boeing 767 aircraft, offering seating for 199 passengers with 23 seats in Envoy Class and 176 seats in Coach Class.

Subject to U.S. and foreign government approvals, US Airways will offer daily nonstop roundtrip flights between Philadelphia and both Dublin and Shannon for the summer travel season, through the end of October. US Airways hopes to serve the routes year-round once market conditions and aircraft availability allow.

“Dublin and Shannon will mark our ninth and tenth European destinations, further strengthening our transatlantic gateway in Philadelphia,” said Andrew P. Nocella, US Airways vice president of planning and scheduling. “The addition of seasonal service to Ireland is an exciting step for US Airways - we see a great deal of potential in the routes.”

US Airways, the US Airways Express carriers and US Airways Shuttle provide service to 200 destinations worldwide, including 38 states in the U.S. In the Caribbean, US Airways serves Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cancun, Cozumel, Grand Bahama Island, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, Providenciales, San Juan, Santo Domingo, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Croix. US Airways Express also serves North Eleuthera, Governors Harbour, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay from select cities in Florida. In Canada, US Airways serves Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. US Airways’ European destinations are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome.

From Philadelphia, US Airways currently operates 384 nonstop flights daily, serving 123 destinations.

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

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