PHOENIX, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA), the second largest low-fare carrier in North America, announced today that it will initiate new daily, nonstop service between its Phoenix hub and Monterrey, Mexico, on Oct. 20, 2003. Customers in 31 additional cities in the western U.S. will be able to take advantage of convenient connecting service to do business in Monterrey, a city known to be an industrial and educational leader in Mexico. Monterrey customers will benefit from nonstop service to Phoenix and convenient connecting service to high-demand business and leisure markets such as Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and 27 other cities in the West.

“Monterrey makes a nice addition to our impressive portfolio of 11 other Mexican business and beach communities. As Mexico`s third largest city and an industrial center, Monterrey will be a significant business destination for us,” said Doug Parker, chairman and chief executive officer, America West Airlines. “We are pleased to offer Monterrey customers flexible low fares and business-friendly services like assigned seating and our award winning frequent flyer program, FlightFund.”

Nonstop service to Mexico is important to Arizona in order to develop strong economic and cultural ties, which is the focus of the Arizona-Mexico Commission chaired by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

“Part of my vision for Arizona is to establish it as this nations` premier trade portal with Mexico and South America, and America West Airlines clearly shares this vision,” said Gov. Janet Napolitano. “By establishing direct service from Phoenix to Monterrey, America West Airlines will make traveling between these two great cities far easier for business people and tourists alike.”

America West carries 600,000 passengers to and from Mexico each year and offers nearly 100 weekly departures to Mexico from its hub at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“Sky Harbor is a cornerstone of our state`s economy, and the City of Phoenix is committed to operating the airport in a way that supports the state and the region`s economic development aspirations,” added Dave Siebert, Councilman, City of Phoenix.

Monterrey is America West`s fourth new destination this year and the second new destination in Mexico. America West started service to Memphis, Tenn., in April, Cancun, Mexico, in June and will start service to Edmonton, Canada, in October.

America West currently provides extensive service to cities along Mexico`s Pacific and Caribbean coasts including Guaymas, Mazatlan, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Acapulco and Cancun as well as major business destinations including Hermosillo, Guadalajara and Mexico City.

America West Express, which is operated by subsidiary airlines of Mesa Air Group, will utilize the modern 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-200) for this service. For more information or to make a reservation, customers in the U.S. may contact America West at 1-800-2-FLY-AWA (1-800-235-9292) or in Mexico at 001-800-533-6862. Customers may also log on to www.americawest.com or contact a professional travel agent for more information or to make a reservation.
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