America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA), the nation`s largest low-fare, full-service airline, announced today that it will initiate new service between its Las Vegas hub and Eugene, Ore., on March 1, 2003. In addition, America West will add new flights between Las Vegas and six existing markets, which also begin on March 1, 2003. With these new flights, America West will offer 91 daily departures to 38 destinations in its Las Vegas hub.

“As Las Vegas` hometown airline, America West offers nonstop service to more domestic and international destinations than any other airline. And we`re happy to be adding even more service in response to growing customer demand,” said Dion Flannery, vice president, scheduling and route planning. “Plus, customers in the Eugene area can now enjoy nonstop service to one of the most popular destinations in the country and benefit from the convenience of connecting to many other America West destinations.”

The new daily nonstop roundtrip service between Las Vegas and Eugene will be provided by America West Express, operated by Mesa Airlines, utilizing the 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet. From Las Vegas, Eugene customers can connect to 24 destinations across the United States and Mexico. Additionally, America West will retime one of its three existing flights from Eugene to Phoenix, which will allow customers to connect to 70 destinations.

America West, the airline that introduced business-friendly fares, offers fares that are 40 to 70 percent below most other major carriers and do not require a Saturday night stay. Additionally, the airline offers flexible ticketing policies that allow unused tickets to retain their value for a year and allow customers to fly standby for free on the same day as their originally scheduled flight.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact your professional travel agent or America West at 1-800-2-FLY-AWA (1-800-235-9292). Reservation and information services are also available at www.americawest.com. Customers can sign up for FlightFund, the airline`s worldwide frequent flyer program, at www.FlightFund.com, the frequent flyer section of www.americawest.com or by calling the FlightFund Service Center at 1-800-247-5691.

Mesa currently operates 124 aircraft with 889 daily system departures to 147 cities, 37 states, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. It operates in the West and Midwest as America West Express, and provides regional airline service for other airlines in the U.S. The company, which was founded in New Mexico in 1982, has approximately 3,000 employees. Mesa is a member of Regional Aviation Partners.

America West Airlines is the nation`s largest low-fare, full-service 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 92 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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