American-US Airways cut back on regional carriers

American Airlines Group plan to fly bigger jets between American and US Airways hubs, cutting its reliance on regional American Eagle-branded carriers.

The company said the change will take effect from June and "will harmonize our networks by aligning and increasing flying between our hubs where US Airways already operates mainline service."

US Airways will fly Airbus A320 aircraft on selected routes, replacing American Eagle-operated smaller planes.

Announcing the change in an internal staff communication, the airline said the move is to "improve efficiency and customer demand for flights to small and medium-sized communities."

The carrier outlined routes where the first phase of changes will take effect.

These include the Charlotte-Miami route, where US Airways will add two extra flights, increasing to nine a day, and will discontinue its five daily flights operated by American Eagle on 50-seat Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.

American Eagle flights will also be cut between Charlotte and Chicago, with US Airways increasing frequency to 11 a day.

On all routes announced so far, there will be a reduction in daily flights, but added seat capacity due to the use of larger aircraft.   

The airline hopes to consolidate on busier routes while gradually phasing out smaller 50-seat regional jets as they are much less fuel-efficient.