US Airways’ Senior Vice President, Technical Operations, Hal Heule, announced today his plans to retire at the end of September. His retirement follows a 41-year career in the aviation industry that spanned Pan American, Texas International Airlines, Continental Airlines, America West and US Airways, as well as seven years in aviation consulting with Strand Associates, Inc. Heule will continue to serve as an advisor to US Airways until the end of the year.

US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, “Hal’s been considering retirement for some time now, but didn’t want to set a date until we got through our operational integration and our airline operations improved. Now that we’re running one of the industry’s top on-time airlines, he can transition to a well deserved retirement. Hal did great things for America West and US Airways over eight years and he leaves us with a world-class maintenance organization. We are forever grateful for his contributions and wish him and Pam a wonderful retirement full of travel, golf, and time together with their family and grandchildren.”

Heule was instrumental in several milestones during the America West and US Airways merger, most notably when the FAA granted the airline a single operating certificate in September of 2007, officially combining the two airlines into the new US Airways. Heule was tasked with coordinating the integration of the separate airlines’ information technology systems and flight operations computer systems, airport, maintenance and on-board policies and procedures.

Effective immediately, David Seymour, US Airways’ vice president, technical services will assume Heule’s day-to-day responsibilities and report to US Airways EVP and COO, Robert Isom. Currently, Seymour has direct responsibility for maintenance planning, supply chain, engineering, quality assurance and aircraft acquisitions. In absorbing Heule’s duties, Seymour will add oversight of maintenance production including both line maintenance and base maintenance.

Seymour began his career with US Airways at America West in 1999 as director of materials. He was later promoted to senior director, materials and planning where he oversaw all aircraft material requirements and the management of all repairs and vendors. Most recently, he served as vice president, operations control and planning, overseeing the Operations Control Center and the crew resources and scheduling function.