Tulsa Chamber: American-US Airways Merger Great For Northeast Oklahoma

Tulsa's business community is getting behind the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

The Tulsa Chamber is hailing Thursday's announcement as an outstanding development for all of northeast Oklahoma.

American's maintenance base employs more than 6,000, and supports another 3,500 other jobs in the Tulsa area.

City and county leaders, along with American's Tulsa management, say the merger shows the airline and its operations here are poised for growth and success.

"Great stability for the workforce, great stability in the amount of work that's in Tulsa. It's a very good news story," said American's Vice President of Base Maintenance, Bill Collins.

American's Tulsa work force is in line for a pay raise.

The chamber said it will work closely with the new American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union to address future needs of the maintenance base.

2/14/2013 Related Story: Managers Say Tulsa Will Continue To Be Asset For American/US Air