Merger of US Airways, American bodes well for Philly aiport, CEO says

Philadelphia International Airport officials think the merger of US Airways and American could be good news.

Testifying during City Council budget hearings, Philadelphia International Airport CEO Mark Gale said the merger of the two airlines could bring more domestic flights to Philadelphia and, in turn, make it easier to bring more international businesses to town.

“We believe that Philadelphia offers a great opportunity for them to place flights into Philly because of our ability not only to expand and grow but because we also have facilities available,” Gale said. “We also have a very strong demographic region here. They have liked that in the past decades.”

As the airport’s international terminal is expanded, Gale said the goal is to accommodate the new bigger aircraft common on overseas flights.

“You don’t fill an airplane that is going to a place such as Madrid or Delhi with traffic that is just generated right in your region. You get it from all the connecting traffic that comes into the airport,” he said. “And we think that’s where the opportunities as an airport with American Airlines is going to really hit it.”

The airport also has plans to encourage all airlines to expand their schedules into and out of Philadelphia, Gale said.