Top Airline Companies To Buy Right Now

Top Airline Companies To Buy Right Now: US Airways Group Inc (LCC)

US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways Group) is a holding company whose primary business activity is the operation of a network air carrier through its wholly owned subsidiaries, US Airways, Piedmont Airlines, Inc. (Piedmont), PSA Airlines, Inc. (PSA), Material Services Company, Inc. (MSC) and Airways Assurance Limited (AAL). MSC and AAL operate in support of the Companys airline subsidiaries in areas, such as the procurement of aviation fuel and insurance. It has hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Washington National). During the year ended December 31, 2011, it offered scheduled passenger service on more than 3,100 flights daily to more than 200 communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. It also has an East Coast route network, including the US Airways Shuttle service.

The Company had approximatel y 53 million passengers boarding its mainline flights in 2011. During 2011, the Companys mainline operation provided scheduled service or seasonal service at 133 airports, while the US Airways Express network served 156 airports in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including 78 airports also served by its mainline operation. US Airways Express air carriers had approximately 28 million passengers boarding their planes in 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated 340 mainline jets and was supported by its regional airline subsidiaries and affiliates operating as US Airways Express under capacity purchase agreements, which operated 233 regional jets and 50 turboprops. The Companys prorate carriers operated seven turboprops and seven regional jets at December 31, 2011.

In May 2011, US Airways Group and US Airways entered into an Amended and Restated Mutual Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Mutual APA) with Delta Air Lines, Inc. (D! elta). Pur suant to the Mutual APA, Delta agreed to acquire 132 slot pairs at LaGuardia from US Airways and US Airways agreed to acquire from Delta 42 slot pairs at Washington National and the rights to operate additional daily service to Sao Paulo, Brazil. On December 13, 2011, the transaction contemplated by the Mutual APA closed and ownership of the respective slots was transferred between the airlines. During 2011, the US Airways Express network served 156 airports in the continental United States, Canada and Mexico, including 78 airports also served by its mainline operation. During 2011, approximately 28 million passengers boarded US Airways Express air carriers planes, approximately 44% of whom connected to or from its mainline flights.

The Company competes with Southwest, JetBlue, Allegiant, Frontier, Virgin America and Spirit.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Adam Levine-Weinberg]

  While no carrier is likely to win supremacy in this highly competitive market, Delta is well-positioned to pick up market share over time. Delta's slot swap with US Airways (NYSE: LCC  ) , which was completed last year, gives it the largest market share at LaGuardia Airport, which is the most convenient airport for many New Yorkers. The airline is also expanding at JFK, the region's largest airport. Most importantly, Delta has the best reputation for customer service among the legacy carriers, which gives high-paying business travelers a good reason to choose Delta.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  U.S. Airways (LCC) has gained 0.2% to $20.53 after it was downgraded to Fair Value from Buy at CRT Capital.

  Chico’s FAS (CHS) has dropped 1.5% to $16.82 after it was cut to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  It’s been a bumpy few weeks for airline stocks after the Department of Justice challenged AMR Corp.’s(AAMRQ) merger with U.S. Airways (LCC), calling into question not just the consolid! ation the! sis that had boosted airlines recently but also AMR’s future.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  US Airways is a passenger and freight airline during a time when consumers and companies are utilizing air travel more than ever. A recent proposed merger with American Airlines is coming under scrutiny which may stall a run in the stock. The stock is now currently digesting gains from a recent move higher so it may need to trade sideways a bit before it gets going. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenue figures have been on the rise so investors in the company have been pleased. Relative to its strong peers and sector, US Airways has been a weak year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what US Airways does this remaining quarter.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-airline-companies-to-buy-right-now.html