S-3ASR 1 d358294ds3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR Form S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 2012

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

US AIRWAYS GROUP, INC.   US AIRWAYS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
54-1194634   53-0218143
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

 

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Stephen L. Johnson

Executive Vice President – Corporate and Government Affairs

US Airways Group, Inc.

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With Copies to:

Anthony J. Richmond

Gregory P. Rodgers

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

(650) 328-4600

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    þ

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    þ

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

US Airways Group, Inc.:

Large accelerated filer    þ   Accelerated filer    ¨   Non-accelerated filer    ¨   Smaller reporting company    ¨

US Airways, Inc.:

Large accelerated filer    ¨   Accelerated filer    ¨   Non-accelerated filer    þ   Smaller reporting company    ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be

Registered (1)

 

Proposed Maximum

Offering

Price per Unit (1)

 

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price (1)

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee (2)

Common Stock of US Airways Group, Inc., par value $0.01 per share(3)

               

Debt Securities of US Airways Group, Inc.(4)

               

Warrants of US Airways Group, Inc.(5)

               

Rights of US Airways Group, Inc.(6)

               

Purchase Contracts of US Airways Group, Inc.(7)

               

Units of US Airways Group, Inc.(8)

               

Guarantees of US Airways Group, Inc.(9)

               

Guarantees of US Airways, Inc.(10)

               

Debt Securities of US Airways, Inc.(4)

               

Pass Through Certificates of US Airways, Inc.

               

Total

  (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)

 

 

 

(1) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E to Form S-3 under the Securities Act. An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class of securities is being registered for possible offering from time to time at indeterminate prices. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined from time to time by the registrants in connection with, and at the time of, offering by the registrants of the securities registered hereby. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are offered in units. Securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency or currency units.
(2) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrants are deferring payment of all applicable registration fees.
(3) Shares of common stock may be issued in primary or secondary offerings or upon conversion of debt and other securities of US Airways Group, Inc. (“US Airways Group”) registered hereby. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock of US Airways Group being registered hereby include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereby as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(4) Debt securities may be issued in primary or secondary offerings or upon conversion of debt securities registered hereby.
(5) Warrants may be issued in primary or secondary offerings. Warrants may be issued representing rights to purchase common stock or debt securities of US Airways Group (as shall be designated by US Airways Group at the time of any such offering) registered hereby.
(6) Rights may be issued to purchase common stock and/or any of the other securities of US Airways Group (as shall be designated by US Airways Group at the time of any such offering) registered hereby. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between US Airways Group and a bank or trust company, as rights agent.
(7) Purchase contracts may be issued for the purchase and sale of any securities of US Airways Group registered hereby.
(8) Units may be issued that may consist of any combination of the other securities of US Airways Group registered hereby.
(9) US Airways Group may guarantee the obligations of US Airways, Inc. (“US Airways”) with respect to one or more of the securities of US Airways registered hereby. No additional consideration will be received for the guarantees and, pursuant to Rule 457(n), no additional fee is required.
(10) US Airways may guarantee the obligations of US Airways Group with respect to one or more of the debt securities of US Airways Group registered hereby. No additional consideration will be received for the guarantees and, pursuant to Rule 457(n), no additional fee is required.

 

 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement contains three separate prospectuses:

 

   

The first prospectus relates to offerings by US Airways Group of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, debt securities (and any related guarantees by US Airways), warrants, rights, purchase contracts and units;

 

   

The second prospectus relates to offerings by US Airways of its debt securities (and any related guarantees by US Airways Group); and

 

   

The third prospectus relates to offerings by US Airways of pass through certificates (and any related guarantees by US Airways Group).


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

US AIRWAYS GROUP, INC.

Common Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Purchase Contracts

Units

From time to time, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus separately or together in any combination, in one or more classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. Payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by our subsidiary, US Airways, Inc.

We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “LCC.”

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR CERTAIN OF OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 4.

We may offer and sell the securities directly, through agents we select from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers we select. These securities also may be resold by securityholders, if so provided in a prospectus supplement hereto. We will provide specific information about any selling securityholders in one or more supplements to this prospectus. If we or any selling securityholders use any agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we or any selling securityholders expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 25, 2012


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     3   

RISK FACTORS

     4   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     4   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     5   

OUR COMPANY

     7   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     8   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     9   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     10   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     14   

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     21   

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

     24   

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     25   

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     26   

GLOBAL SECURITIES

     27   

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     30   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     30   

LEGAL MATTERS

     31   

EXPERTS

     31   

Important Notice About the Information Presented In This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering an unspecified amount of each class of the securities described in this prospectus, and we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. To the extent that this prospectus is used by any securityholder to resell any securities, information with respect to the securityholder and the terms of the securities being offered will be contained in a prospectus supplement. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to this offering. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making a decision to purchase any of our securities.

The prospectus supplement will describe: the specific terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for the securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also contain information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Throughout this prospectus references to “US Airways Group,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to US Airways Group, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires. References to “US Airways” refer to US Airways, Inc.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein and/or included in any prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC, but the registration statement includes additional information and also attaches exhibits that are referenced in this prospectus. You can review a copy of the registration statement available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also find our SEC filings on our website at www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC.

This prospectus incorporates by reference some of the reports, proxy and information statements and other information that US Airways Group and US Airways have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. This means that we are disclosing important business and financial information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (except for information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and any related exhibits) prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus:

 

   

Annual Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012;

 

   

Quarterly Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2012;

 

   

Current Reports of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012, May 4, 2012 and May 16, 2012;

 

   

Definitive Proxy Statement of US Airways Group with respect to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012; and

 

   

The description of the common stock of US Airways Group contained in its registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on September 22, 2005 and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description.

You may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing or calling us at:

Corporate Secretary

US Airways Group, Inc.

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement should be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue” and similar terms used in connection with statements regarding, among others, our outlook, expected fuel costs, the revenue and pricing environment, and our expected financial performance and liquidity position. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the impact of future significant operating losses in the future;

 

   

downturns in economic conditions and their impact on passenger demand, booking practices and related revenues;

 

   

the impact of the price and availability of fuel and significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel;

 

   

increased costs of financing, a reduction in the availability of financing and fluctuations in interest rates;

 

   

our high level of fixed obligations and our ability to fund general corporate requirements, obtain additional financing and respond to competitive developments;

 

   

any failure to comply with the liquidity covenants contained in our financing arrangements;

 

   

provisions in our credit card processing and other commercial agreements that may affect our liquidity;

 

   

the impact of union disputes, employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions;

 

   

our inability to maintain labor costs at competitive levels;

 

   

interruptions or disruptions in service at one or more of our hub airports or our focus city;

 

   

regulatory changes affecting the allocation of slots;

 

   

our reliance on third-party regional operators or third-party service providers;

 

   

our reliance on and costs, rights and functionality of third-party distribution channels, including those provided by global distribution systems, conventional travel agents and online travel agents;

 

   

changes in government regulation;

 

   

the impact of changes to our business model;

 

   

competitive practices in the industry, including the impact of industry consolidation;

 

   

the loss of key personnel or our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

the impact of conflicts overseas or terrorist attacks, and the impact of ongoing security concerns;

 

   

our ability to operate and grow our route network;

 

   

the impact of environmental regulation;

 

   

our reliance on technology and automated systems and the impact of any failure or disruption of, or delay in, these technologies or systems;

 

   

costs of ongoing data security compliance requirements and the impact of any significant data security breach;

 

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the impact of any accident involving our aircraft or the aircraft of our regional operators;

 

   

delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries or other loss of anticipated fleet capacity;

 

   

our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for aircraft, aircraft engines and parts;

 

   

our ability to operate profitably out of Philadelphia International Airport;

 

   

the impact of weather conditions and seasonality of airline travel;

 

   

the impact of possible future increases in insurance costs or reductions in available insurance coverage;

 

   

the impact of global events that affect travel behavior, such as an outbreak of a contagious disease;

 

   

the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

our ability to use NOLs and certain other tax attributes; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports to and other filings with the SEC.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed above and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Item 1A. under the heading “Risk Factors” and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements, and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or the applicable incorporated document, as applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, are qualified in their entirety by this statement. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such estimates, except as required by law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety. They contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

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OUR COMPANY

US Airways Group is a holding company whose primary business activity is the operation of a major network air carrier through its wholly owned subsidiaries US Airways, Piedmont Airlines, Inc., PSA Airlines, Inc., Material Services Company, Inc. and Airways Assurance Limited. US Airways Group was formed in 1982, and its origins trace back to the formation of All American Aviation in 1939. Material Services Company, Inc. and Airways Assurance Limited operate in support of our airline subsidiaries in areas such as the procurement of aviation fuel and insurance. US Airways, a Delaware corporation, was formed in 1982. On September 27, 2005, US Airways Group merged with America West Holdings Corporation, with US Airways Group as the surviving corporation.

We are a Delaware corporation, and our principal executive offices are located at 111 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, Arizona 85281. Our telephone number is (480) 693-0800, and our internet address is www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC. For additional information about US Airways Group, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The financial data presented below for US Airways Group is derived from and should be read in conjunction with US Airways Group’s audited financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the unaudited financial statements of US Airways Group included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,

2012
     Years Ended December 31,  
        2011      2010      2009     2008     2007  

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges

     1.25         1.11         1.68         (a     (a     1.61   

 

(a) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $253 million and $2.22 billion, respectively.

For purposes of the table, “earnings” consists of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, a portion of rent expense, which is deemed to be representative of an interest factor, and capitalized interest.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities under this prospectus for our general corporate purposes. We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of securities by selling securityholders, if any, pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our common stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock that we may offer from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future common stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any offering in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of certain provisions of our common stock is qualified by reference to the provisions of applicable law and to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated bylaws.

Authorized Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 400 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of April 30, 2012, 162,332,291 shares of common stock were outstanding, 43,700,109 shares were reserved for issuance upon the conversion of our convertible notes, 15,832,282 shares were reserved for issuance under outstanding equity grants and 10,367,648 shares were reserved for future issuance under our incentive plans. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “LCC.”

Holders of common stock participate equally as to any dividends or distributions on the common stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

The outstanding shares of our common stock are legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The common stock does not have any preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Additional shares of authorized common stock may be issued, as authorized by our board of directors from time to time, without stockholder approval, except as may be required by applicable stock exchange requirements.

Voting Rights

The holders of US Airways Group common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of common stockholders, except that voting rights of non-U.S. citizens are limited to the extent that the shares of common stock held by such non-U.S. persons would otherwise be entitled to more than 24.9% of the aggregate votes of all outstanding equity securities of US Airways Group. Holders of common stock have no right to cumulate their votes.

Stock Certificates

Our bylaws provide that our board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of our stock will be uncertificated shares.

Foreign Ownership Limitation

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide limits on the voting and ownership of our equity securities owned or controlled by persons who are not citizens of the United States in order to comply with U.S. law and related rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any equity securities owned by non-U.S. persons having in excess of 24.9% of the voting power of our outstanding equity securities will have their voting rights automatically suspended in reverse chronological order based upon the date of registration in our foreign stock record. In addition, any attempt to transfer equity securities to a non-U.S. person in excess of 49.9% of our outstanding equity securities will be void and of no effect and will not be recorded in our books and records.

Dividends

Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of US Airways Group when, as and if declared on our common stock by the board of directors from time to time out of assets or funds legally available therefor.

 

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Our bylaws provide that dividends, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board (or any action by written consent in lieu thereof) and may be paid in cash, property or shares of our capital stock. Before payment of any dividend, the directors may set aside such portion of the funds available for dividends as the board of directors, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve fund. Also, the board of directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

Limitation of Personal Liability of Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides that no director will be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL.

Our certificate of incorporation further provides that if the DGCL is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended.

Indemnification of Officers & Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we:

 

   

will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law. This right to indemnification continues even after a person has ceased to be a director or officer and inures to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. Subject to applicable law, the right to indemnification includes the right to be paid the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; and

 

   

may, to the extent authorized by the board of directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents similar to those conferred on directors and officers.

Except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, we are not obligated to indemnify any director or officer or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives in connection with a proceeding or part thereof initiated by that person unless the proceeding or part thereof was authorized or consented to by the board of directors.

Our certificate of incorporation also provides that the rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses are not exclusive of any other right which any person may have or acquire under the certificate of incorporation, the bylaws, any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted to our directors, officers or controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Certain Anti-Takeover Matters

Number of Directors.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will consist of not less than one nor more than 15 directors, the exact number of which will be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors.

Classification of Board of Directors.    Our certificate of incorporation classifies the board of directors into three separate classes. Each class consists, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire board of directors, with staggered three-year terms. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease will be apportioned among the classes in order for the number of directors in each class to remain as nearly equal as possible.

 

 

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Removal of Directors.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that any director may be removed at any time only “for cause” and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and therefore stockholders may not take any action by written consent.

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that we reserve the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in our certificate of incorporation in a manner in keeping with the certificate of incorporation or the DGCL, and that all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to that reservation.

Our certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors to amend, alter, change, repeal or adopt any provision as part of the certificate of incorporation inconsistent with the purpose and intent of specified provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

Amendment of Bylaws.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the board of directors or the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors will be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal our bylaws.

Special Meeting of Stockholders.    Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called by:

 

   

the chairman of the board of directors;

 

   

the chief executive officer or president; or

 

   

the board of directors.

Notice of Stockholder Meeting; Stockholder Nominations and Proposals.    Our bylaws provide that written notice of meetings of stockholders, stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at that meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose(s) for which the meeting is called, must be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting. The secretary must provide such notice not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and stockholder nominations of candidates for election as directors. A stockholder who wishes to transact business at a meeting or nominate a candidate for election as a director must comply with these advance notice requirements and provide US Airways Group with certain information specified in our bylaws.

Business Combinations.    Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control if our board of directors determines that those changes in control are not in the best interests of US Airways Group and its stockholders. These provisions include, among other things, the following:

 

   

a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms;

 

   

advance notice procedures for stockholder proposals to be considered at stockholders’ meetings;

 

   

the ability of US Airways Group’s board of directors to fill vacancies on the board;

 

   

a prohibition against stockholders taking action by written consent;

 

   

a prohibition against stockholders calling special meetings of stockholders;

 

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requiring the approval of holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors for the stockholders to amend the amended and restated bylaws; and

 

   

super majority voting requirements to modify or amend specified provisions of US Airways Group’s certificate of incorporation.

These provisions are not intended to prevent a takeover, but are intended to protect and maximize the value of our stockholders’ interests. While these provisions have the effect of encouraging persons seeking to acquire control of our company to negotiate with our board of directors, they could enable our board of directors to prevent a transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests and, in that case, may prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

We are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless before the date that the person became an “interested stockholder,” the board of directors approved either the “business combination” or the transaction which makes the person an “interested stockholder,” or after the date that the person became an “interested stockholder,” the business combination is approved by our board of directors and the vote of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the “interested stockholder.” Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who either owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three prior years, owned, 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. The statute could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

As used in this section only, “US Airways Group,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to US Airways Group, Inc. excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

   

the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

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any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

   

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

   

the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

   

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

   

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities. (Section 2.2)

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with

 

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information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities.    You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System.    Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

   

we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than US Airways Group) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of US Airways Group may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to US Airways Group. (Section 5.1)

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

   

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

 

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default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

   

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

   

certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of US Airways Group; and

 

   

any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right of power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

   

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

   

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

   

to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

   

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

   

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

   

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

   

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

Defeasance of Certain Covenants.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

   

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

   

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect

 

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of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

   

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default.    In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments. (Section 8.4)

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law). (Section 10.10)

Guarantees

Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by US Airways. The terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which consist of warrants to purchase common stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with common stock and/or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities.

While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any warrants may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those warrants, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any warrants we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.

We will issue the warrants under a warrant agreement, which we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. We use the term “warrant agreement” to refer to any of these warrant agreements. We use the term “warrant agent” to refer to the warrant agent under any of these warrant agreements. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplement related to the warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreement that contain the terms of the warrants and defines your rights as a warrant holder.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants. If warrants for the purchase of debt securities are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

   

the currencies in which the warrants are being offered;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant;

 

   

the designation and terms of any series of debt securities with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants offered with each such debt security;

 

   

the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related series of debt securities;

 

   

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires;

 

   

federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

Warrants for the purchase of debt securities will be in registered form only.

If warrants for the purchase of common stock are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

   

the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them;

 

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the number of warrants being offered with each share of common stock;

 

   

the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related common stock;

 

   

the number of shares of common stock that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at which that common stock may be purchased upon exercise, including, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price and in the securities or other property receivable upon exercise;

 

   

the terms of any rights to redeem or call, or accelerate the expiration of, the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires;

 

   

federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

Warrants for the purchase of common stock will be in registered form only.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock, including any rights to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent set forth under “— Warrant Adjustments” below.

Exercise of Warrants

Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates (or a later date if we extend the time for exercise), unexercised warrants will become void.

A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:

 

   

delivering to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplement to purchase the underlying security;

 

   

properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and

 

   

delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to the warrant agent within five business days of the warrant agent receiving payment of the exercise price.

If you comply with the procedures described above, your warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price, subject to the transfer books for the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant not being closed on such date. After you have completed those procedures and subject to the foregoing, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to you the debt securities or common stock that you purchased upon exercise. If you exercise fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to you for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements

We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure or correct a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem

 

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necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Warrant Adjustments

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a common stock warrant will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock, as applicable. In addition, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we, without payment:

 

   

issue capital stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, as a dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of our common stock;

 

   

pay any cash to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, other than a cash dividend paid out of our current or retained earnings;

 

   

issue any evidence of our indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase our indebtedness to all or substantially all holders of our common stock; or

 

   

issue common stock or additional stock or other securities or property to all or substantially all holders of our common stock by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement,

then the holders of common stock warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants, in addition to the securities otherwise receivable upon exercise of the warrants and without paying any additional consideration, the amount of stock and other securities and property such holders would have been entitled to receive had they held the common stock issuable under the warrants on the dates on which holders of those securities received or became entitled to receive such additional stock and other securities and property.

Except as stated above, the exercise price and number of securities covered by a common stock warrant, and the amounts of other securities or property to be received, if any, upon exercise of those warrants, will not be adjusted or provided for if we issue those securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities, or securities carrying the right to purchase those securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities.

Holders of common stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:

 

   

certain reclassifications, capital reorganizations or changes of the common stock;

 

   

certain share exchanges, mergers, or similar transactions involving us and which result in changes of the common stock; or

 

   

certain sales or dispositions to another entity of all or substantially all of our property and assets.

If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our common stock are entitled to receive stock, securities or other property with respect to or in exchange for their securities, the holders of the common stock warrants then outstanding, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their warrants the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property that they would have received upon the applicable transaction if they had exercised their warrants immediately before the transaction.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the rights that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock and/or any of the other securities offered hereby. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. When we issue rights, we will provide the specific terms of the rights and the applicable rights agreement in a prospectus supplement. Because the terms of any rights we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of rights agreement that describes the terms of the series of rights we are offering before the issuance of the related series of rights.

If we offer any series of rights, certain terms of that series of rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

   

the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

   

the securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

   

the exercise price;

 

   

the aggregate number of rights issued;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the rights; and

 

   

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the purchase contracts that we may offer under this prospectus. While the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any future purchase contracts we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any purchase contracts that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any purchase contracts may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those purchase contracts, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any purchase contracts we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any purchase contract that we may offer under this prospectus before the sale of the related purchase contract. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the specific purchase contracts being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that are subject to those purchase contracts. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our, or an unaffiliated entity’s, securities at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of our securities. When we issue purchase contracts, we will provide the specific terms of the purchase contracts in a prospectus supplement. A copy of the applicable form of purchase contract will be included as an exhibit to a report we file with the SEC incorporated by reference herein.

If we offer any purchase contracts, certain terms of that series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

   

the price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts (which may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts);

 

   

whether the purchase contracts are issued separately, or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities or securities of an unaffiliated entity, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract;

 

   

any requirement for us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa, and whether the payments are unsecured or pre-funded;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the purchase contracts;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

 

   

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

 

   

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; and

 

   

any other terms of the purchase contracts and any securities subject to such purchase contracts.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. While the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any units we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any units may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those units, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any units we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.

We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the specific units being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that comprise those units. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

   

the title of the series of units;

 

   

identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

 

   

the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

   

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

   

any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities (collectively, “global securities”). The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as “indirect participants,” that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a “beneficial owner,” is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and

 

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demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

   

we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

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an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

If the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is used by selling securityholders for the resale of any securities registered thereunder pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be entered into by us with such selling securityholders or otherwise, information about such selling securityholders, their beneficial ownership of our securities and their relationship with us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated herein by reference.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We, or selling securityholders, may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be named in a prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or selling securityholders, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing

 

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penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

LEGAL MATTERS

Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities on behalf of US Airways Group.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of US Airways Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

US AIRWAYS, INC.

Debt Securities

From time to time, we may offer the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. Payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by our parent corporation, US Airways Group, Inc.

We will provide the specific terms of the offering of any debt securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

INVESTING IN OUR DEBT SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR DEBT SECURITIES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR CERTAIN OF OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 4.

We may offer and sell the debt securities directly, through agents we select from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers we select. If we use any agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the debt securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those debt securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 25, 2012.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     3   

RISK FACTORS

     4   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     4   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     5   

OUR COMPANY

     7   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF US AIRWAYS

     8   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF US AIRWAYS GROUP

     9   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     10   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     11   

GLOBAL SECURITIES

     18   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     21   

LEGAL MATTERS

     22   

EXPERTS

     22   

Important Notice About the Information Presented In This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering an unspecified amount of the securities described in this prospectus, and we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to this offering. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making a decision to purchase any of our securities.

The prospectus supplement will describe: the specific terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for the securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also contain information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Throughout this prospectus, references to “US Airways, Inc.,” “US Airways,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to US Airways, Inc., and references to “US Airways Group” refer to US Airways Group, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein and/or included in any prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC, but the registration statement includes additional information and also attaches exhibits that are referenced in this prospectus. You can review a copy of the registration statement available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also find our SEC filings on our website at www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC.

This prospectus incorporates by reference some of the reports, proxy and information statements and other information that US Airways Group and US Airways have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. This means that we are disclosing important business and financial information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (except for information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and any related exhibits) prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus:

 

   

Annual Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012;

 

   

Quarterly Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2012;

 

   

Current Reports of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012, May 4, 2012 and May 16, 2012; and

 

   

Definitive Proxy Statement of US Airways Group with respect to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

You may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing or calling us at:

Corporate Secretary

US Airways, Inc.

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement should be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue” and similar terms used in connection with statements regarding, among others, our outlook, expected fuel costs, the revenue and pricing environment, and our expected financial performance and liquidity position. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the impact of future significant operating losses in the future;

 

   

downturns in economic conditions and their impact on passenger demand, booking practices and related revenues;

 

   

the impact of the price and availability of fuel and significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel;

 

   

increased costs of financing, a reduction in the availability of financing and fluctuations in interest rates;

 

   

our high level of fixed obligations and our ability to fund general corporate requirements, obtain additional financing and respond to competitive developments;

 

   

any failure to comply with the liquidity covenants contained in our financing arrangements;

 

   

provisions in our credit card processing and other commercial agreements that may affect our liquidity;

 

   

the impact of union disputes, employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions;

 

   

our inability to maintain labor costs at competitive levels;

 

   

interruptions or disruptions in service at one or more of our hub airports or our focus city;

 

   

regulatory changes affecting the allocation of slots;

 

   

our reliance on third-party regional operators or third-party service providers;

 

   

our reliance on and costs, rights and functionality of third-party distribution channels, including those provided by global distribution systems, conventional travel agents and online travel agents;

 

   

changes in government regulation;

 

   

the impact of changes to our business model;

 

   

competitive practices in the industry, including the impact of industry consolidation;

 

   

the loss of key personnel or our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

the impact of conflicts overseas or terrorist attacks, and the impact of ongoing security concerns;

 

   

our ability to operate and grow our route network;

 

   

the impact of environmental regulation;

 

   

our reliance on technology and automated systems and the impact of any failure or disruption of, or delay in, these technologies or systems;

 

   

costs of ongoing data security compliance requirements and the impact of any significant data security breach;

 

   

the impact of any accident involving our aircraft or the aircraft of our regional operators;

 

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delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries or other loss of anticipated fleet capacity;

 

   

our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for aircraft, aircraft engines and parts;

 

   

our ability to operate profitably out of Philadelphia International Airport;

 

   

the impact of weather conditions and seasonality of airline travel;

 

   

the impact of possible future increases in insurance costs or reductions in available insurance coverage;

 

   

the impact of global events that affect travel behavior, such as an outbreak of a contagious disease;

 

   

the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

our ability to use NOLs and certain other tax attributes; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports to and other filings with the SEC.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed above and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Item 1A. under the heading “Risk Factors” and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements, and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or the applicable incorporated document, as applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, are qualified in their entirety by this statement. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such estimates, except as required by law.

You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety. They contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

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OUR COMPANY

US Airways is a Delaware corporation whose primary business activity is the operation of a major network air carrier. US Airways is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, which owns all of US Airways’ outstanding common stock, par value $1 per share. US Airways was formed in 1982.

Our principal executive offices are located at 111 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, Arizona 85281. Our telephone number is (480) 693-0800, and our internet address is www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC. For additional information about US Airways, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

OF US AIRWAYS

The financial data presented below for US Airways is derived from and should be read in conjunction with US Airways’ audited financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the unaudited financial statements of US Airways included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011.

 

     Three Months
Ended  March 31,
2012
     Years Ended December 31,  
        2011      2010      2009     2008     2007  

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges

     1.44         1.31         1.95         (a     (a     1.76   

 

(a) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $188 million and $2.15 billion, respectively.

For purposes of the table, “earnings” consists of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, a portion of rent expense, which is deemed to be representative of an interest factor, and capitalized interest.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

OF US AIRWAYS GROUP

The financial data presented below for US Airways Group is derived from and should be read in conjunction with US Airways Group’s audited financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the unaudited financial statements of US Airways Group included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011.

 

     Three Months
Ended  March 31,
2012
     Years Ended December 31,  
        2011      2010      2009     2008     2007  

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges

     1.25         1.11         1.68         (a     (a     1.61   

 

(a) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $253 million and $2.22 billion, respectively.

For purposes of the table, “earnings” consists of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, a portion of rent expense, which is deemed to be representative of an interest factor, and capitalized interest.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our debt securities under this prospectus for our general corporate purposes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

As used in this section only, “US Airways,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to US Airways, Inc. excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

   

the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

   

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which,

 

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the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

   

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

   

the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

   

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

   

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities. (Section 2.2)

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities.    You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System.    Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

   

we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than US Airways) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of US Airways may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to US Airways. (Section 5.1)

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

   

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

   

default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

   

certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of US Airways; and

 

   

any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right of power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

   

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on

 

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or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

   

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

   

to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

   

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

   

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

   

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

   

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

Defeasance of Certain Covenants.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

   

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

   

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default.    In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments. (Section 8.4)

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law). (Section 10.10)

Guarantees

Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by US Airways Group. The terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities (collectively, “global securities”). The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as “indirect participants,” that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a “beneficial owner,” is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or

 

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agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

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we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

   

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

We may solicit directly offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. We will name in a prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities.

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions form the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include,

 

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among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post?effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

LEGAL MATTERS

Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities on behalf of US Airways.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of US Airways, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

US AIRWAYS, INC.

Pass Through Certificates

Pass through trusts that we form may offer for sale pass through certificates from time to time under this prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements. Each pass through certificate will represent an interest in a pass through trust. The property of the pass through trust will include equipment notes issued by:

 

   

one or more owner trustees, on a non-recourse basis, to finance or refinance a portion of the purchase price of aircraft that have been or will be leased to us as part of a leveraged lease transaction; or

 

   

US Airways to finance or refinance all or a portion of the purchase price of aircraft owned or to be purchased by us.

The pass through certificates will not represent interests in or obligations of US Airways or any of our affiliates.

Equipment notes issued by any owner trustee will be without recourse to us. For each aircraft, we or the owner trustee will issue one or more equipment notes with an interest rate, final maturity date and ranking of priority of payment described in a prospectus supplement.

The pass through trustee will distribute to the holders of pass through certificates the interest paid on the equipment notes held in the related pass through trust on the dates and at the rates indicated in a prospectus supplement. Holders of pass through certificates will also receive distributions of the principal paid on the equipment notes in scheduled amounts and on dates specified in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will not list the pass through certificates on any national securities exchange.

To the extent stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our payment obligations in respect of any equipment notes or the leases related to any equipment notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our parent corporation, US Airways Group, Inc.

We will describe the specific terms of a particular series of pass through certificates in a supplement to this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any pass through certificates unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND/OR CERTAIN OF OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 4.

We may offer and sell the pass through certificates directly, through agents we select from time to time or to or through underwriters, dealers or other third parties we select. If we use any agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the pass through certificates, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 25, 2012.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     3   

RISK FACTORS

     4   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     4   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     5   

OUR COMPANY

     7   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF US AIRWAYS

     8   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF US AIRWAYS GROUP

     9   

USE OF PROCEEDS; DESCRIPTION OF PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES

     10   

CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS

     11   

LEGAL MATTERS

     12   

EXPERTS

     12   

Important Notice About the Information Presented In This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering an unspecified amount of the securities described in this prospectus, and we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to this offering. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making a decision to purchase any of our securities.

The prospectus supplement will describe: the specific terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for the securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also contain information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Throughout this prospectus, references to “US Airways, Inc.,” “US Airways,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to US Airways, Inc., and references to “US Airways Group” refer to US Airways Group, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein and/or included in any prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC, but the registration statement includes additional information and also attaches exhibits that are referenced in this prospectus. You can review a copy of the registration statement available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also find our SEC filings on our website at www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC.

This prospectus incorporates by reference some of the reports, proxy and information statements and other information that US Airways Group and US Airways have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. This means that we are disclosing important business and financial information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (except for information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and any related exhibits) prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus:

 

   

Annual Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012;

 

   

Quarterly Report of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2012;

 

   

Current Reports of US Airways Group and US Airways on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012, May 4, 2012 and May 16, 2012; and

 

   

Definitive Proxy Statement of US Airways Group with respect to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

You may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing or calling us at:

Corporate Secretary

US Airways, Inc.

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 693-0800

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement should be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue” and similar terms used in connection with statements regarding, among others, our outlook, expected fuel costs, the revenue and pricing environment, and our expected financial performance and liquidity position. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the impact of future significant operating losses in the future;

 

   

downturns in economic conditions and their impact on passenger demand, booking practices and related revenues;

 

   

the impact of the price and availability of fuel and significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel;

 

   

increased costs of financing, a reduction in the availability of financing and fluctuations in interest rates;

 

   

our high level of fixed obligations and our ability to fund general corporate requirements, obtain additional financing and respond to competitive developments;

 

   

any failure to comply with the liquidity covenants contained in our financing arrangements;

 

   

provisions in our credit card processing and other commercial agreements that may affect our liquidity;

 

   

the impact of union disputes, employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions;

 

   

our inability to maintain labor costs at competitive levels;

 

   

interruptions or disruptions in service at one or more of our hub airports or our focus city;

 

   

regulatory changes affecting the allocation of slots;

 

   

our reliance on third-party regional operators or third-party service providers;

 

   

our reliance on and costs, rights and functionality of third-party distribution channels, including those provided by global distribution systems, conventional travel agents and online travel agents;

 

   

changes in government regulation;

 

   

the impact of changes to our business model;

 

   

competitive practices in the industry, including the impact of industry consolidation;

 

   

the loss of key personnel or our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

the impact of conflicts overseas or terrorist attacks, and the impact of ongoing security concerns;

 

   

our ability to operate and grow our route network;

 

   

the impact of environmental regulation;

 

   

our reliance on technology and automated systems and the impact of any failure or disruption of, or delay in, these technologies or systems;

 

   

costs of ongoing data security compliance requirements and the impact of any significant data security breach;

 

   

the impact of any accident involving our aircraft or the aircraft of our regional operators;

 

   

delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries or other loss of anticipated fleet capacity;

 

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our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for aircraft, aircraft engines and parts;

 

   

our ability to operate profitably out of Philadelphia International Airport;

 

   

the impact of weather conditions and seasonality of airline travel;

 

   

the impact of possible future increases in insurance costs or reductions in available insurance coverage;

 

   

the impact of global events that affect travel behavior, such as an outbreak of a contagious disease;

 

   

the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

our ability to use NOLs and certain other tax attributes; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports to and other filings with the SEC.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed above and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Item 1A. under the heading “Risk Factors” and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements, and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or the applicable incorporated document, as applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, are qualified in their entirety by this statement. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such estimates, except as required by law.

You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety. They contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

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OUR COMPANY

US Airways is a Delaware corporation whose primary business activity is the operation of a major network air carrier. US Airways is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, which owns all of US Airways’ outstanding common stock, par value $1 per share. US Airways was formed in 1982.

Our principal executive offices are located at 111 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, Arizona 85281. Our telephone number is (480) 693-0800, and our internet address is www.usairways.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC. For additional information about US Airways, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

OF US AIRWAYS

The financial data presented below for US Airways is derived from and should be read in conjunction with US Airways’ audited financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the unaudited financial statements of US Airways included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011.

 

    

Three Months
Ended March 31,

2012

     Years Ended December 31,  
        2011      2010      2009     2008     2007  

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges

     1.44         1.31         1.95         (a     (a     1.76   

 

(b) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $188 million and $2.15 billion, respectively.

For purposes of the table, “earnings” consists of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, a portion of rent expense, which is deemed to be representative of an interest factor, and capitalized interest.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

OF US AIRWAYS GROUP

The financial data presented below for US Airways Group is derived from and should be read in conjunction with US Airways Group’s audited financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the unaudited financial statements of US Airways Group included in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011.

 

    

Three Months
Ended March 31,

2012

     Years Ended December 31,  
        2011      2010      2009     2008     2007  

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges

     1.25         1.11         1.68         (a     (a     1.61   

 

(a) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $253 million and $2.22 billion, respectively.

For purposes of the table, “earnings” consists of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, a portion of rent expense, which is deemed to be representative of an interest factor, and capitalized interest.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS; DESCRIPTION OF PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES

Except as set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, the pass through trustee(s) will use proceeds from the sale of pass through certificates to purchase equipment notes secured by aircraft. The equipment notes are or will be issued by:

 

   

one or more owner trustees on a non-recourse basis to finance or refinance a portion of the purchase price of aircraft that have been or will be leased to us (“leased aircraft notes”), or

 

   

us to finance or refinance all or a portion of the purchase price of aircraft owned or to be purchased by us (“owned aircraft notes”).

Any trust may hold owned aircraft notes and leased aircraft notes simultaneously. The owned aircraft notes will be secured by certain aircraft owned or to be owned by us, and the leased aircraft notes will be secured by certain aircraft leased or to be leased to us.

In addition, to the extent set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, each trust may hold (exclusively, or in combination with owned aircraft notes, leased aircraft notes or both) equipment notes secured by aircraft engines, spare parts, appliances or other equipment or personal property owned or to be owned by, or leased or to be leased to, us. Such equipment notes, and the property securing them, will be subject to the considerations, terms, conditions, and other provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The pass through certificates will not represent interests in or obligations of US Airways or any of our affiliates.

For each leased aircraft, the owner trustee will issue the related equipment notes, as nonrecourse obligations, authenticated by a bank or trust company, as indenture trustee under either a separate supplement to an existing trust indenture and security agreement between the owner trustee and the indenture trustee or a separate trust indenture and security agreement. The owner trustee will also obtain a portion of the funding for the leased aircraft from an equity investment of one or more owner participants. A leased aircraft may also be subject to other financing arrangements that will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the refinancing of a leased aircraft, the owner trustee may refinance the existing equipment notes through the issuance of notes by a separate trust, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will issue the equipment notes relating to aircraft owned by us under either a separate supplement to an existing trust indenture and mortgage or a separate trust indenture and mortgage.

A trust may hold owned aircraft notes or leased aircraft notes that are subordinated in right of payment to other equipment notes or other debt related to the same owned or leased aircraft. In addition, the trustees on behalf of one or more trusts may enter into an intercreditor or subordination agreement establishing priorities among series of pass through certificates. Also, a liquidity facility, surety bond, financial guarantee, interest rate or other swap or other arrangement may support one or more payments on the equipment notes or pass through certificates of one or more series. In addition, the trustee may enter into servicing, remarketing, appraisal, put or other agreements relating to the collateral securing the equipment notes. We will describe any such credit enhancements or other arrangements or agreements in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If the pass through trustee does not use the proceeds of any offering of pass through certificates to purchase equipment notes on the date of issuance of the pass through certificates, it will hold the proceeds for the benefit of the holders of the related pass through certificates under arrangements that we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the pass through trustee does not subsequently use any portion of the proceeds to purchase equipment notes by the date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, it will return that portion of the proceeds to the holders of the related pass through certificates. In these circumstances, the prospectus supplement will describe how the proceeds of the pass through certificates will be held or applied including any depositary or escrow arrangements.

 

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CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS

Ranking; Cross-Subordination

Some of the equipment notes related to a specific aircraft may be subordinated and junior in right of payment to other equipment notes or other debt related to the same or certain related aircraft. In such event, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of such subordination, including the priority of distributions among such classes of equipment notes, the ability of each such class of equipment notes to exercise remedies with respect to the relevant aircraft (and, if such aircraft are leased aircraft, the leases) and certain other intercreditor terms and provisions.

The equipment notes issued under an indenture may be held in more than one trust, and a trust may hold equipment notes issued under more than one related indenture. Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, however, only equipment notes having the same priority of payment may be held in the same trust. A trust that holds equipment notes that are junior in payment priority to the equipment notes held in another related trust formed as part of the same offering of pass through certificates as a practical matter will be subordinated to such latter trust. In addition, the trustees on behalf of one or more trusts may enter into an intercreditor or subordination agreement that establishes priorities among series of pass through certificates or provides that distributions on the pass through certificates will be made to the certificateholders of a certain trust or trusts before they are made to the certificateholders of one or more other trusts. For example, such an agreement may provide that payments made to a trust on account of a subordinate class of equipment notes issued under one indenture may be subordinated to the prior payment of all amounts owing to certificateholders of a trust that holds senior equipment notes issued under that indenture or any related indentures.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any such intercreditor or subordination agreement or arrangements and the relevant cross-subordination provisions. Such description will specify the percentage of certificateholders under any trust that is permitted to (1) grant waivers of defaults under any related indenture, (2) consent to the amendment or modification of any related indenture or (3) direct the exercise of remedies under any related indenture. Payments made on account of the pass through certificates of a particular series also may be subordinated to the rights of the provider of any credit support agreement described below.

Credit Support Agreements

The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that a “credit support agreement” will support, insure or guarantee one or more payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the equipment notes of one or more series, or one or more distributions in respect of the pass through certificates of one or more series. A credit support agreement may include a letter of credit, a bank guarantee, a revolving credit agreement, an insurance policy, surety bond or financial guarantee, a liquidity facility or any other type of agreement or arrangement for the provision of insurance, a guarantee or other credit enhancement or liquidity support. In addition, if any equipment notes bear interest at a floating rate, there may be a cap or swap agreement or other arrangement in case the interest rate becomes higher than is covered by the credit support agreement. The institution or institutions providing any credit support agreement will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the provider of any credit support agreement will have a senior claim on the assets securing the affected equipment notes and on the trust property of the affected trusts.

Guarantee of US Airways Group

US Airways Group may provide a full and unconditional guarantee with respect to our payment obligations under any series of leases and equipment notes described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If US Airways Group guarantees such obligations, we will describe the terms of the guarantee in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we tell you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, such guarantee will be enforceable without any need first to enforce any such related leases or equipment notes against US Airways, and will be an unsecured obligation of US Airways Group.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities on behalf of US Airways.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of US Airways, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II.

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance And Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, all of which will be paid by the registrants, in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimated, except the SEC Registration Fee:

 

SEC Registration fee

     (1

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     (2

Printing expenses

     (2

Legal fees and expenses

     (2

Blue Sky fees and expenses

     (2

Accounting fees and expenses

     (2

Miscellaneous

     (2
  

 

 

 

Total

     (2
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Under SEC Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable.

 

(2) These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a corporation may indemnify any person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than a derivative action by or in the right of such corporation) who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or serving at the request of such corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

The DGCL also permits indemnification by a corporation under similar circumstances for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation under its bylaws, disinterested directors’ vote, stockholders’ vote, agreement or otherwise.

The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above.

US Airways Group’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and US Airways’ amended and restated certificate of incorporation each provide that the respective company shall indemnify its

 

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officers and directors to the full extent authorized or permitted by applicable law. US Airways Group’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws and US Airways’ amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws each provide that the respective company shall also indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the company), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the company, or is or was a director or officer of the company serving at the request of the company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

US Airways Group also maintains insurance for officers and directors against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The effect of this insurance is to indemnify any officer or director of US Airways Group against expenses, including without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, incurred by an officer or director upon a determination that such person acted in good faith. The premiums for such insurance are paid by US Airways Group.

Under indemnification agreements with US Airways Group and/or US Airways, officers and directors of each company are indemnified against all liabilities relating to their position as an officer or director of the company, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.

The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

ITEM 16.     Exhibits.

(a) Exhibits

A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form S-3 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 17.    Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

i. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the

 

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registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

i. Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

ii. Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrants will be sellers to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned registrants;

iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or their securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and

iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to

 

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Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tempe, State of Arizona, on the 25th day of May, 2012.

 

US AIRWAYS GROUP, INC.
By:   /s/    W. Douglas Parker         
  W. Douglas Parker
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints W. Douglas Parker, Derek J. Kerr and Stephen L. Johnson and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments or any abbreviated registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) increasing the number of securities for which registration is sought) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney may be executed in counterparts.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    W. Douglas Parker      

W. Douglas Parker

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Derek J. Kerr      

Derek J. Kerr

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Bruce R. Lakefield      

Bruce R. Lakefield

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Herbert M. Baum      

Herbert M. Baum

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Matthew J. Hart      

Matthew J. Hart

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Richard C. Kraemer      

Richard C. Kraemer

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    Cheryl G. Krongard      

Cheryl G. Krongard

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Denise M. O’Leary      

Denise M. O’Leary

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    George M. Philip      

George M. Philip

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

/s/    William J. Post      

William J. Post

  

Director

  May 25, 2012

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tempe, State of Arizona, on the 25th day of May, 2012.

 

US AIRWAYS, INC.
By:   /s/    W. Douglas Parker         
  W. Douglas Parker
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints W. Douglas Parker, Derek J. Kerr and Stephen L. Johnson and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments or any abbreviated registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) increasing the number of securities for which registration is sought) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney may be executed in counterparts.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    W. Douglas Parker      

W. Douglas Parker

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   May 25, 2012

/s/    Derek J. Kerr      

Derek J. Kerr

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   May 25, 2012

/s/    Bruce R. Lakefield      

Bruce R. Lakefield

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    Herbert M. Baum      

Herbert M. Baum

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    Matthew J. Hart      

Matthew J. Hart

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    Richard C. Kraemer      

Richard C. Kraemer

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    Cheryl G. Krongard      

Cheryl G. Krongard

   Director   May 25, 2012

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Denise M. O’Leary      

Denise M. O’Leary

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    George M. Philip      

George M. Philip

   Director   May 25, 2012

/s/    William J. Post      

William J. Post

   Director   May 25, 2012

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Description

  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of US Airways Group, Inc., effective as of September 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to US Airways Group, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2005 (Commission File No. 1-8444)).
  4.2   Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of US Airways Group, Inc., effective as of July 24, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to US Airways Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (Commission File No. 1-8444)).
  4.3   Amended and Restated Bylaws of US Airways Group, Inc., dated as of February 4, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to US Airways Group, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2011 (Commission File No. 1-8444)).
  4.4   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of US Airways, Inc., effective as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. filed on December 3, 2009 (Registration No. 333-163463)).
  4.5   Amended and Restated Bylaws of US Airways, Inc., effective as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. filed on December 3, 2009 (Registration No. 333-163463)).
  4.6   Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. filed on December 3, 2009 (Registration No. 333-163463)).
  4.7+   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Indenture for Debt Securities.
  4.8+   Form of US Airways, Inc. Indenture for Debt Securities.
  4.9*   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Note.
  4.10*   Form of US Airways, Inc. Note.
  4.11*   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
  4.12*   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
  4.13*   Form of Rights Agreement.
  4.14*   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Purchase Contract.
  4.15*   Form of US Airways Group, Inc. Unit.
  4.16*   Form of Guarantee.
  4.17   Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement for US Airways, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. filed on October 4, 2006 (Registration No. 333-137806)).
  4.18   Form of Pass Through Certificate for US Airways, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. filed on October 4, 2006 (Registration No. 333-137806)).
  4.19*   Form of Guarantee of US Airways Group with respect to pass through certificates.
  5.1+   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
12.1+   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for US Airways Group, Inc.
12.2+   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for US Airways, Inc.
23.1+   Consents of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2+   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).


Table of Contents

Exhibit

 

Description

24.1+   Power of Attorney signed by the directors of US Airways Group, Inc., authorizing their signatures on this report (included on signature pages).
24.2+   Power of Attorney signed by the directors of US Airways, Inc., authorizing their signatures on this report (included on signature pages).
25.1+   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1, as Trustee under the US Airways Group, Inc. Indenture for Debt Securities.
25.2+   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1, as Trustee under the US Airways, Inc. Indenture for Debt Securities.
25.3+   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1, as Pass Through Trustee under the US Airways, Inc. Pass Through Trust Agreement.

 

+ Filed herewith.

 

* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report of the registrants on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.