Birmingham Airport welcomes new US Airways transatlantic service to Phildelphia

Stephen Raeder, US Airways, Philly's finest "Rocky" and Paul Kehoe, BHX CEO,

welcomes the new service to Philadelphia

.

Birmingham International Airport today, Wednesday 13th May 2009,

welcomed the inaugural service by US Airways to Philadelphia

.
The new, seasonal 5-times-weekly service is the first direct link

between Birmingham and Philadelphia, and gives passengers another

route to destinations in the US such as: Boston, Chicago, Fort

Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco

and Tampa. Onward travel also includes Canada, the

Caribbean and Latin America
.

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham International Airport, was on hand to

welcome the passengers this morning and said: "Having US Airways

as one of our partners is excellent news, not just for the Airport but

also for the region. This established carrier, which is part of the

Star Alliance, announced that it would be flying from Birmingham

back in October last year, and we are delighted that they have shown

both confidence in the region and Birmingham during what are

extremely trying times"

.

"It is encouraging that the outbound flight this morning is over 70%

full which is excellent for an inaugural"

.
"Having US Airways on board to Philadelphia will help us to

welcome home some of the 60% of the regions’ travellers who punish

themselves by driving miles along crowded motorways to other

Airports hours away"
.

Senior Vice President, East Coast, International and Cargo

Operations Suzanne Boda said, "We’re thrilled to expand our

presence in the United Kingdom with new Birmingham flying.

Customers in both countries will have spectacular access to and

from the U.S. via our Philadelphia International Gateway

from Birmingham. We appreciate the support and hard work

of Birmingham officials as well as the continued support

and commitment of the Philadelphia City Division of Aviation"
.
Cassie Muir, Executive Director, British American Business Council,

added, "As an organisation that promotes the strong transatlantic

trade relationship that the UK and the US share, we are delighted

with the start of this transatlantic route on US Airways. Many of

our organisation's members travel to the US on a regular basis

for business purposes, so this route from Birmingham directly into

Philadelphia and beyond, allows companies within our region

greater access to the US, and also allows ease of transport in the

reverse manner. This route on US Airways will help save companies

time by providing them with direct access into the Midlands region

where many viable business interests lie"
.
Flights will operate five times a week, arriving into Birmingham

at 06:25. The service will then depart at 08:45, arriving

in Philadelphia at 11:50
.

Operating a Boeing 757-200 aircraft, US Airways will offer
a mixed cabinof 164 Economy seats and 12 business class seats

.

Passengers interested in booking on US Airways should visit

www.usairways.co.uk or call 0845 6003300 to make a reservation

.

Wednesday 13 May 2009