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America West adds a Phoenix flight to Billings beginning in April
America West Airlines is adding a daily nonstop flight to Billings beginning in April.
The Phoenix, Ariz., airline also is adding nonstop flights to two of its other new markets, Pittsburgh and Medford, Ore.
By JAN FALSTAD
Of The Gazette Staff
The regional airline started flying America West Express flights to Billings last October with two daily flights. The third flight to Billings, on a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet, begins April 6.
The new flight leaves Billings at 5 p.m. and arrives in Phoenix at 6:15 p.m. The Phoenix to Billings flight leaves at 12 p.m. and arrives at 3:25 p.m.
Mark Gillen, senior director of corporate sales, flew to Billings Monday for the announcement.
The airline has been shrinking in some markets. It recently pulled entirely out of Columbus, Ohio. But, Billings has been surprisingly good for America West.
"We’ve had better-than-expected demand and Billings has shown a great response to our affordable fare structure," said Gillen.
Hoping to profit
With tough financial times in the airline industry, Gillen said America West isn’t in the black yet, but is increasing revenues and cutting costs year after year.
"We should be the first of the hub airlines to achieve profitability," Gillen said.
Billings travel agent Chris Hall of Chris Hall Travel Service said America West has made a dent in high airfares in Billings and the extra flights are welcome.
"They’ve impacted the market tremendously. You can go to New York or Chicago without a Saturday night stay and the fares are dramatically lower," Hall said.
She said she recently priced a ticket from Billings to Chicago where her client couldn’t stay over a Saturday night, which usually means lower fares.
The price for a 14-day advance ticket was running up to $900, Hall said.
"I priced one out two weeks ago and it was $250," she said. "If you buy a ticket ahead of time, the flights are one quarter of the cost."
Other airlines have lowered their fares to certain cities in competition with America West, Hall said.
"It’s really a huge benefit and we want to make sure they stick around, so that is good news. Good news for us," she said.
Looking for new business
Hall said Delta Airlines is swapping a full-size MD 90 jet carrying between 150 to 187 passengers for a regional Canadair jet that carries 50 to 87 people for its 6 a.m. flight. She said America West appears to be courting that business.
In May, America West will add a third daily nonstop between Phoenix and Cleveland, Ohio, a city the airline has served since 1994.
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