US Airways Group said today it would cut its staff by 1,000, or 3 percent, and shift its operations to focus on four key cities and its shuttle service, a move it hopes will return the airline to profitability, according to Reuters. The carrier said it would concentrate on its "core network strengths," which are its hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix, as well as Washington D.C. and its shuttle between New York, Boston and Washington. US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a statement that the shift was "intended to focus on our key network strengths." The airline said it would reduce service in Las Vegas and close stations in Colorado Springs and Wichita. The company said it would reposition its crew bases in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. by closing bases in Boston, LaGuardia and Las Vegas. The Las Vegas and LaGuardia bases are expected to close on Jan. 31, and Boston will close on May 2, 2010, the airline said. The staff reductions will occur in the first half of 2010, US Airways said. Shares of US Airways were up 9 cents or 2.9 percent at $3.23 on Wednesday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange.
