US Air chief apologizes for computer botch

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PHILADELPHIA, May 15 (UPI) -- US Airways' chief executive apologized to shareholders in Philadelphia Tuesday for management's botching the airline's switch to a new reservation system.

Doug Parker, speaking at the company's annual meeting, said the Tempe, Ariz., company had not made sure the new system would work properly before launching it March 4, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Those problems and winter storms resulted in US Airways and its Philadelphia airport hub having the nation's worst record for on-time performance and customer service in March, the U.S. Department of Transportation said.

The move to the new system "was poorly managed by us," Parker said in answer to questions from two leaders of the Communications Workers of America, which represents ticket and gate agents. "It was not employees' fault."

Parker also said the "labor issue is worsening" across the industry, as unions increasingly look "to get more and more back," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

"That is causing more and more strife throughout our business," he said.