8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2002

America West Holdings Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	86-0847214 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
111 West Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, Arizona 85281 (Address, Including Zip Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)	(602) 693-0800 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

America West Airlines, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	86-0418245 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
4000 E. Sky Harbor Boulevard Phoenix, Arizona 85034-3899 (Address, Including Zip Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)	(602) 693-0800 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	ITEM 5.     OTHER EVENTS
	ITEM 7.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1

ITEM 5.     OTHER EVENTS

         America West Holdings Corporation and America West Airlines, Inc. together announced that Derek Kerr has been elected new Chief Financial Officer of the two companies replacing Bernard L. Han, who has resigned effective October 14, 2002. The joint press release dated September 30, 2002, entitled “America West appoints Derek Kerr New Chief Financial Officer,” is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Joint press release of America West Holdings Corporation and America West Airlines, Inc. dated as of September 30, 2002.

SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, America West Holdings Corporation and America West Airlines, Inc. have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	America West Holdings Corporation
Dated: October 11, 2002	By:	/s/ Michael R. Carreon
		Michael R. Carreon Vice President and Controller
	America West Airlines, Inc.
Dated: October 11, 2002	By:	/s/ Michael R. Carreon
		Michael R. Carreon Vice President and Controller

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Joint press release of America West Holdings Corporation and America West Airlines, Inc. dated as of September 30, 2002.

EX-99.1 3 p67110exv99w1.txt EX-99.1 Exhibit 99.1 AMERICA WEST APPOINTS DEREK KERR NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PHOENIX, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA) today announced that Derek Kerr has been elected senior vice president and chief financial officer. Kerr was previously senior vice president, financial planning and analysis for America West. "We're thrilled to promote Derek Kerr to chief financial officer," said Doug Parker, chairman and chief executive officer. "With 12 years of airline finance experience and strong leadership skills, Derek is well prepared to lead America West's continued financial improvements." Kerr, 37, joined America West in 1996 as senior director of financial planning. He was promoted to vice president, financial planning and analysis in 1998 and subsequently promoted to senior vice president, financial planning and analysis when his responsibilities were expanded to include purchasing and fuel administration. Prior to joining America West, Kerr held a number of finance positions over the course of five years at Northwest Airlines. Kerr has a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering and a master of business administration degree, both from the University of Michigan. Kerr replaces Bernie Han who has resigned effective October 14 to become chief financial officer for Northwest Airlines. "We thank Bernie for his significant contributions to America West over the past seven years and particularly for the key role he played in restructuring the airline and securing our stabilization loan a year ago," said Parker. "With our strong cash position and margin performance relative to other airlines today, Bernie leaves America West well-positioned to weather the current industry downturn. I am certain Northwest will be well served with him as their CFO." "I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented and good people at America West," said Han. "With its strong management team, low cost structure, operational turnaround and solid business model, America West is well-positioned for long term success." America West Airlines is the nation's largest low-fare, hub-and-spoke airline. Founded in 1983, it is the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. Today, America West is the nation's eighth-largest carrier and serves 88 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. America West is a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation, an aviation and travel services company with 2001 sales of $2.1 billion. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----

EX-99.1

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


AMERICA WEST APPOINTS DEREK KERR NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



    PHOENIX, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- America West Airlines (NYSE:
AWA) today announced that Derek Kerr has been elected senior vice president and
chief financial officer. Kerr was previously senior vice president, financial
planning and analysis for America West.

    "We're thrilled to promote Derek Kerr to chief financial officer," said Doug
Parker, chairman and chief executive officer. "With 12 years of airline finance
experience and strong leadership skills, Derek is well prepared to lead America
West's continued financial improvements."

    Kerr, 37, joined America West in 1996 as senior director of financial
planning. He was promoted to vice president, financial planning and analysis in
1998 and subsequently promoted to senior vice president, financial planning and
analysis when his responsibilities were expanded to include purchasing and fuel
administration.

    Prior to joining America West, Kerr held a number of finance positions over
the course of five years at Northwest Airlines. Kerr has a bachelor of science
degree in aerospace engineering and a master of business administration degree,
both from the University of Michigan.

    Kerr replaces Bernie Han who has resigned effective October 14 to become
chief financial officer for Northwest Airlines.

    "We thank Bernie for his significant contributions to America West over the
past seven years and particularly for the key role he played in restructuring
the airline and securing our stabilization loan a year ago," said Parker. "With
our strong cash position and margin performance relative to other airlines
today, Bernie leaves America West well-positioned to weather the current
industry downturn. I am certain Northwest will be well served with him as their
CFO."

    "I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many
talented and good people at America West," said Han. "With its strong management
team, low cost structure, operational turnaround and solid business model,
America West is well-positioned for long term success."

    America West Airlines is the nation's largest low-fare, hub-and-spoke
airline. Founded in 1983, it is the only carrier formed since deregulation to
achieve major airline status. Today, America West is the nation's eighth-largest
carrier and serves 88 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. America West
is a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation, an aviation
and travel services company with 2001 sales of $2.1 billion.