I was listening to LAS_APP yesterday and heard “Cactus”. I thought that since USAirways and America West merged everything was USAirways now- so why this callsign and how are they distinguishing between what flights are USA and what are AWE?
They are still operating under different certificates. That’s why you’ll still see AWE and USA call signs.
Suggestion (at the risk of being ragged upon by certain individuals). When you give the subject, use a more descriptive subject.
The subject “call signs” sounds like you are asking for general information on call signs. “Cactus call sign” or “AWE call sign” would be more specific. It would also help people in the future when they search for your subject.
The new merged US Airways received single FAA certification on September 26, 2007, but they continue to use both AWE/“Cactus” and USA/“US Air” for their flights. More details on what the new certificate means here.
Hadn’t realized the certificates were combined already. Thanks for the information and the link.
I guess USAir is going to ruin another carrier - just like they did with Piedmont.
It was America West who purchased US Airways, not the other way around.
America West Holdings Corporation (owners of America West) announced in April 2005 that it was talking with US Airways Group (owners of US Airways) about the former purchasing the latter. In May 2005, a merger announcement was made. America West’s shareholders approved the merger in September 2005. In the same month, the US Bankruptcy court (US Airways was in bankruptcy at the time) approved a Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization that cleared the way for the merger.
On September 16, 2005, the US Bankruptcy Court approved USAirways Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for the merger to be closed as soon as September 27, 2005. For the merger approval announcement see Plan of Reorganization Approval
The Wall Street Journal said about the merger: “[It offered] a huge break to US Airways and potentially [carried] big risks for America West…” (America West was in better financial shape).
Although the new airline would take the US Airways name, management would still be in the hands of America West managers and the headquarters would be in America West’s Tempe (Arizona) headquarters.
The merger required America West Holdings to be merged into Barbell Acquisition Corporation (a subsidiary of US Airways Group Inc.) with America West Holdings being the surviving company. This was done in September, 2007, the same month that the two airlines operating certificates were combined.
Note to nitpickers: this is a high-level overview. It is not meant to be a highly detailed narrative. If you wish more data or wish to try to prove me wrong, I used the terms “surviving company america west us airways” in Google.
Also as part of the deal with the new merged company being based in Tempe… once all operations are combined under the new operating certificate, the “Cactus” callsign will remain.
I’m glad to hear that. “Cactus” is a better call sign for an airline based here in the great West.
Hmm…ok…so since all their aircraft are being painted as “US Airways,” I wonder if it will show up on radar and on this website as USA, yet still using the “cactus” callsign?
As is “Citrus” for a company based in Florida…
I believe Citrus was a nod to Air Florida. There’s a lot of former Air Florida folks in Airtran’s upper management.
Wasn’t Air Florida’s call sign “Palm”?
Yes. And Value Jet was Critter.
citris is airtran cactus is usairways because since usair and americawest merged america west was based in phinoex where there are CACTUSES
CACTI