US Airways is turning planes back to leasing companies and cutting back its just-launched service to Latin American and Caribbean destinations.
The bankrupt carrier will return 11 Boeing 737 aircraft to the leasing company in May, resulting in at least 14 deletions from its flight schedule.
US Airways said it will stop flying from Fort Lauderdale to Panama City, Panama; San Salvador, El Salvador; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Newark, N.J. It will also cut one flight from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia.
US Airways had been counting on its new Caribbean and Latin American gateway in Fort Lauderdale to generate profitable new traffic. But a spokesman said some of the routes instead have produced a costly combination of low fares, weak occupancy and poor future booking potential.
Persistently high fuel costs, too much competition for limited passengers and low fares all in the decision, the airline said.
In addition to the changes in Fort Lauderdale, the airline is also cutting back in Charlotte and Philadelphia. Most flights will be replaced with regional jets or by increased use of the airline's existing fleet, US Airways said.
