AIRLINES

USAir Jumps Last Major Labor Hurdle: The airline said it has reached agreement in principle with the Assn. of Flight Attendants on wage and other concessions in exchange for financial returns and participation in governance of the company. The agreement would trim millions of dollars a year from the union’s contract, clearing the way for the financially troubled carrier to cut its labor costs by $2.5 billion over the next five years. The airline did not elaborate on specific provisions of the agreement. The AFA, with 8,300 members, was the last of Arlington, Va.-based USAir’s three major unions to agree on wage and work rule concessions. The company had to reach agreement with its unions before seeking shareholder concessions as part of a broad financial rescue package needed to assure the airline’s survival.