American, US Airways get FAA joint operating certificate
American Airlines yesterday passed its latest hurdle to becoming the world’s largest carrier, and the end of the US Airways brand.
The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a single operating certificate allowing American Airlines and US Airways to legally operate as a single integrated carrier.
It is a major milestone in the merger process but flyers won’t see any immediate changes, says Ed Bular, a senior vice president in charge of the integration.
"Think of it as the ultimate enabler for integration. The rest of the airline really cannot integrate until the airline officially becomes one," he said.
"It is the world’s largest airline and the operation is very large and complex," said Bular, a veteran of four airline mergers.
Operationally, both airlines will use the ‘American’ call sign in communication with air traffic control and recently US Airways’ frequent flyer members were absorbed into American’s AAdvantage program.
Other steps planned for full and final integration include moving to a single reservations system and website by the year-end, and the repainting of US Airways’ planes into American colors, which will take a year to complete.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports