In the 1990s, America West opened an east coast hub at Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, using Chautauqua Airlinesand Mesa Airlines to provide commuter and regional flights via respective code sharing agreements in addition to mainline jet service. AnAmerica West Club was located at the hub in an area previously used for a TWA Ambassadors' Club.
In late 2001, America West was the first airline to apply for and receive a loan from the Air Transportation Stabilization Board.[9] As of April 2005, the remaining balance on the loan was $300 million. The ATSB loan and its guarantees were paid back by US Airways and the debt refinanced by other lenders during the merger.[10]
In 2003, America West Airlines closed its Port Columbus hub, reducing the number of scheduled daily flights from almost 50 to 4