USAir Gets Philly-Rome Route

<H1>USAir Gets Philly-Rome Route </H1><H3>by Barbara Coo</H3>Washington, D.C. - The Department of Transportation has granted rights to USAir to operate a Philadelphia-Rome route, the final remaining new service to Italy permitted under the present air services agreement.

USAir, which will begin service on June 1, will become the sixth American line to serve Italy and the only one to offer flights to Rome from a gateway other than New York. The flights will be a continuation of service to and from Los Angeles.

DOT said it selected USAir because Philadelphia is one of the largest U.S. cities without non-stop service to Italy. In addition, a large demand exists in Philadelphia for service to Italian markets, and the city offers the potential of becoming an important gateway to an important European destination.

Northwest, which unsuccessfully sought to gain Detroit-Rome rights in the current DOT proceeding, has objected to the award to USAir, saying that a gateway designation for Detroit would provide tremendous benefits for the Midwestern region. Delta also bid for the new service, seeking rights between Atlanta and Rome.

Other American carriers that currently fly to Italy are Delta, TWA, Continental, American and United. Continental offers service under a code sharing agreement with Alitalia.

USAir also will start service to Munich on May 23 and to Madrid in June 15.