8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 1, 2005

AMERICA WEST HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of jurisdiction) 1-12649
(Commission File No.) 86-0847214
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

111 West Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 693-0800

AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of jurisdiction) 0-12337
(Commission File No.) 86-0418245
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4000 E. Sky Harbor Boulevard
Phoenix, Arizona 85034-3899
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 693-0800

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

þWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
	ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1

ITEM 2.02.      RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

     On September 1, 2005, America West Airlines, Inc. (“AWA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation, announced via press release certain traffic statistics for August 2005. A copy of AWA’s press release is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

* * * *

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     All statements other than statements of historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We urge you to read cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements, including factors that may cause actual results and/or outcomes to differ from the forward-looking statements, located on the Company’s website at www.americawest.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

     In connection with the proposed merger transaction, US Airways Group and America West have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-126162) containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction. The proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of America West after the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and proxy statement, as well as other filed documents containing information about US Airways Group and America West (when available) at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC’s website. Free copies of America West’s SEC filings are also available on America West’s website at http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/edgar.cfm, or by request to Investor Relations, America West Holdings Corporation, 111 West Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, Arizona 85281. Free copies of US Airways Group’s SEC filings are also available on US Airways Group’s website at http://investor.usairways.com/edgar.cfm or by request to Investor Relations, US Airways Group, Inc., 2345 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22227.

     This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there by any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

     America West, US Airways Group and their respective executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from America West’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of America West is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on April 15, 2005. Information regarding the officers and directors of US Airways Group is included in its 2004 Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K on March 1, 2005. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their interests in the solicitation, is set forth in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.

2

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (c)     Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated September 1, 2005.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, America West Holdings Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	America West Holdings Corporation
Dated: September 1, 2005	By:	/s/ Derek J. Kerr
		Derek J. Kerr
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, America West Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	America West Airlines, Inc.
Dated: September 1, 2005	By:	/s/ Derek J. Kerr
		Derek J. Kerr
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

3

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated September 1, 2005.

4

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Contact: Phil Gee
                    480/693-5729

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICA WEST REPORTS RECORD AUGUST TRAFFIC

     PHOENIX, Sept. 1, 2005 — America West Airlines (NYSE:AWA) today reported traffic statistics for the month of August 2005. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for August 2005 were a record 2.2 billion, an increase of 2.1 percent from August 2004. Capacity for August 2005 was a record 2.7 billion available seat miles (ASMs), up 4.9 percent from August 2004. The passenger load factor for the month of August was 81.0 percent versus 83.2 percent in August 2004.

     “August was another strong month for America West with double digit year-over-year improvements in both yield and revenue per available seat mile,” said Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Scott Kirby. “We’re wrapping up the summer by posting another month of record traffic numbers, and looking forward to closing our planned merger with US Airways this fall.”

     The following summarizes America West’s August and year-to-date traffic results for 2005 and 2004:

	Aug. 2005	Aug. 2004	% Change
Revenue Passenger Miles (000)	2,202,391	2,156,990	2.1
Available Seat Miles (000)	2,720,552	2,593,450	4.9
Load Factor (percent)	81.0	83.2	(2.2 pts.)
Enplanements	2,010,134	1,909,221	5.3

	YTD 2005	YTD 2004	% Change
Revenue Passenger Miles (000)	16,530,056	15,590,436	6.0
Available Seat Miles (000)	20,471,019	20,122,649	1.7
Load Factor (percent)	80.7	77.5	3.2 pts.
Enplanements	14,994,899	14,104,805	6.3

     Also for August, the airline will report to the Department of Transportation that its domestic on-time performance was 81.9 percent and its completion factor was 99.2 percent.

     For additional information regarding the airline’s current cost per available seat mile (CASM) guidance, fuel hedging positions, and estimated capital expenditures for 2005, please visit the investor relations update, which is located in the “About AWA” section of the airline’s Web site at www.americawest.com. The investor relations update page also includes current distribution percentages (information on the airline’s distribution channels) and fleet plan through 2007.

     Approximately 60,000 customers upgrade their low-fare experience every day when they get on board America West. The airline’s 14,000 employees are proud to offer a range of services including more destinations than any other low-cost carrier, first-class cabins, assigned seating, airport clubs and an award-winning frequent flyer program. America West operates over 900 daily flights to more than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. This press release and additional information on America West can be accessed at www.americawest.com. (AWAT)

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements other than statements of historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We urge you to read cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements, including factors that may cause actual results and/or outcomes to differ from the forward-looking statements, located on the Company’s website at www.americawest.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

In connection with the proposed merger transaction, US Airways Group and America West have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-126162) containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction. The proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of America West after the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and proxy statement, as well as other filed documents containing information about US Airways Group and America West (when available) at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC’s website. Free copies of America West’s SEC filings are also available on America West’s website at http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/edgar.cfm, or by request to Investor Relations, America West Holdings Corporation, 111 West Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, Arizona 85281. Free copies of US Airways Group’s SEC filings are also available on US Airways Group’s website at http://investor.usairways.com/edgar.cfm or by request to Investor Relations, US Airways Group, Inc., 2345 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22227.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there by any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

     America West, US Airways Group and their respective executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from America West’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of America West is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005

Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on April 15, 2005. Information regarding the officers and directors of US Airways Group is included in its 2004 Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K on March 1, 2005. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their interests in the solicitation, is set forth in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.

-AWA-