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British Airways teams

up with America West

LONDON: British Airways said on Thursday it had formed a new alliance with U.S. regional airline America West which will connect up America's network of domestic routes with BA's transatlantic flights to Phoenix, Arizona.

BA starts a new daily non-stop service from London Gatwick to Phoenix on July 1.

"The new agreement will feed Phoenix passengers directly on to America West's network of services to 96 destinations," the airlines said in a joint statement.

Under the deal the two airlines intend to share flight codes, an industry marketing technique which will combine BA and America West's networks in flight reservation systems.

"Subject to government approval, services to Albuquerque, Burbank, El Paso, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Oakland, Ontario, Orange County, San Jose and Tucson will carry the flight numbers of both America West and British Airways," the statement said.

Industry and media speculation was rife late last year that BA was seeking a major alliance with American Airlines to either replace or complement its equity partnership with east coast specialist USAir Group.

But BA said the deal with America West, ranked as the ninth largest airline in the United States, will open up the western U.S. to its passengers.

"This agreement will give our passengers access to an excellent network in Southwest USA, including many leisure destinations," said Peter Spencer, BA's regional director for the Americas.

America West chairman William Franke said in the joint statement: "Non-stop service to London is great for America West and for our home town of Phoenix, reinforcing its position as the hub of the southwest and a convenient international gateway.

"Our code-sharing agreement with British Airways will allow us to enlarge the scope of our service and derive additional revenues by attracting a broader customer base."-Reuter