ARLINGTON, Va., April 15, 2003—US Airways Express carrier Piedmont Airlines has received the Federal Aviation Administration`s (FAA) distinguished Diamond Certificate of Excellence Award for 2002, for its proactive role in aircraft maintenance training of its technical maintenance workforce. This is Piedmont`s third consecutive year receiving the award, repeating its achievements for 2000 and 2001. The airline also received the Diamond Certificate for 1993.
The Diamond Certificate is the highest of five award levels given by the FAA, and is based on the percentage of individual technicians that received aircraft maintenance training developed by Piedmont Airlines.

In addition, Piedmont Airlines Avionics Manager Dan Palmer and Aviation Maintenance Technician John Surgent have received the Baltimore Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) Good Friend Award for 2002. The awards, presented by Baltimore FSDO Manager Robert Blanton, are in recognition of their efforts in the promotion of aviation safety.

“Piedmont Airlines has always valued the exceptional level of service maintained by our technicians,” said Piedmont Airlines Vice President of Maintenance Peter Barry. “These awards underscore the commitment that this company and its employees have made to the overall success of our airline, and I extend my sincere congratulations to the entire maintenance team and especially to Mr. Palmer and Mr. Surgent.”

Piedmont Airlines, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc., and operates a fleet of 51 aircraft, including 50-seat Bombardier Dash 8 300s and 37-seat Dash 8 100 and 200 series turboprops. The carrier employs 380 maintenance and engineering staff and operates 395 daily flights serving 48 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Piedmont Airlines has maintenance bases in Salisbury, Md., Norfolk, Va., Jacksonville, Fla., and Roanoke, Va. Piedmont also has line maintenance stations in Washington D.C. and Charlotte, N.C. For more information on Piedmont Airlines, visit piedmont-airlines.com.

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

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