U.S. Airways announces start-up date for their Belize-Charlotte service

---Belize City, Monday, June 24th, 2002 --- At the 4th annual tourism
industry presentation held at the Princess Hotel in Belize City on May 7th,
2002 U.S. Airways representative, Susan Mrachek announced plans for that
airline to offer direct service from their Charlotte hub to Belize later in
the year.

A recent release issued by U.S. Airways states that the U.S. Department of
Transportation has granted approval for their new non-stop
Charlotte Belize flight. There will be four weekly flights departing on
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flights are scheduled to
leave Charlotte at 10:40 a.m. arriving in Belize at 1:10 p.m. It then
leaves Belize at 2:00 p.m. arriving in Charlotte at 6:00 p.m. The first
flight starts the week of November 9th, 2002.

The new Charlotte Belize flight will represent an increase in airlift of
120 seats with its Airbus A319 which has 12 first-class seats and 108
economy-class seats.

"U.S. Airways' year-round four times weekly flights to Belize will allow
greater opportunities for development of our tourism product," comments
Tourism Director Tracy Taegar. "This new Charlotte, North Carolina Hub
will mean another gateway making Belize more accessible to the North
American Market which both Belizeans and our visitors can take advantage
of," Ms. Taegar went to say.

US Airways will become the 4th largest international airline to provide
airlift into Belize year-round, marking a significant milestone in Belize's
tourism and aviation industries. Other carriers currently servicing Belize
include American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Grupo Taca. US Airways
is the 11th largest airline in the United States and is presently serving
17 other Caribbean destinations.

There are great rates out there for this service too! Sample: $399 R/T from Raleigh/Durum, $499 from Boston. Based on 14-21 Dec dates with connection in Charlotte. Service begins NOV 9 - TUE-THUR-SAT-SUN, NON STOP from Charlotte NC : )
www.barbsbelize.com

Let's hope USAir makes it. It would be great to have non-stop service to Belize from Charlotte.

Today the company announced it is "deferring" payment on some bills, notably some aircraft leases. Apparently Chapter 11 is a real and immediate possibility, though in the long run that could put them in a stronger position.

I flew USAir on four or five legs on trips this month, and service was friendly and on-time in every case.

--Lan Sluder

Just spoke with "someone in the know" who says that Continental is making overtures to USAir.