Dayton International officials talk effects of airline merger

VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) - American Airlines and US Airways have announced their plans to merge, forming the nation's largest airline.

Both airlines already have a strong presence here in the Miami Valley.  US Airways is the third busiest airline out of Dayton International, and American is fifth. That held true for the majority of 2012.

Carol Spencer was headed for Philadelphia via U-S Airways at Dayton International Thursday afternoon, just hours after learning her "go-to" airline is merging with American Airlines

 "I saw that this morning online," said Spencer.

Carol isn't bothered by the change, but frequent U.S. Airways flyer, Valentina Som, isn't pleased.

"I have flown one time with American and I didn't have a good experience," said Som.

According to Director of Aviation, Terry Slaybaugh, travelers won't notice much of a difference at Dayton International Airport.

The good thing is with the Dayton market is that both air carriers go to completely different markets so there aren't going to be any overlaps of service created through the merger

Dayton International handles twenty-two flights a day between U-S Airways and American

U.S. Airways averages 15 flights out of Dayton daily, including six  to Charlotte, five times to Philadelphia and four to Washington D.C..

American averages seven flights out of Dayton daily, including four flights to Chicago and three to Dallas.

Slaybaugh said he's confident this will not change, but did express concern for the fate of PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of US Airways, that's based in Dayton.

"They have about 450 employees that are based out of this airport. They have a maintenance facility here and they have about five airplanes here every night for US Airways."

Slaybaugh referenced Delta merging with Northwest, United purchasing Continental, and most recently Southwest acquiring Airtran.

Merging is unfortunate, but not uncommon," said Slaybaugh.  "We just have to be patient."