American Bulks Up at LAX

With all the attention lavished on the upcoming merger with US Airways, it would be natural to expect that only American’s highest-priority initiatives would be pursued with any degree of energy and determination.

Among those priorities, apparently, is solidifying its presence at Los Angeles International Airport.

Through the end of this summer, American will have launched service on no fewer than eight new LAX routes:

• Raleigh/Durham, NC, began Apr. 2
• Eugene, OR, beginning June 12 (operated by SkyWest)
• Redmond, OR, beginning June 12 (operated by SkyWest)
• Pittsburgh, PA, beginning Aug. 27
• Indianapolis, IN, beginning Aug. 27
• Columbus, OH, beginning Aug. 27
• Hartford, CT, beginning Aug. 27
• Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, AR, beginning Aug. 27 (operated by American Eagle)

American will also be increasing its flight frequencies between LAX and Brazil later this year, pending government approval.

Counting the new markets, American will serve 51 domestic and international destinations from LAX, with connections to international flights operated by oneworld partners British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and LAN. American also has a codeshare relationship with Alaska Airlines featuring connections at LAX to multiple destinations along the West Coast.

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.