A merger between Tempe-based US Airways and American Airlines appears to be imminent. As that lingers, some local businesses are in a holding pattern of sorts.
“We just don’t know,” said Matthew Kievit, owner of Silver Mine Subs in downtown Tempe. The shop located a short distance from US Airways headquarters feeds Kievit’s business.
Losing those customers would be a big blow Kievit said, especially after surviving a down economy and a loss of business along Mill when Tempe Marketplace opened.
An announcement of a merger could happen as early as Tuesday.
The merger would mean the headquarters in Tempe would shift to Dallas and at least 2,000 corporate jobs would be lost. Thousands more “indirect” jobs in the Valley would also be lost as businesses that support the airline would also suffer.
An economic analysis of the impact to the Valley indicates a $86 million to $345 million loss in wages to the Valley.
