US Airways CEO: We Are Seeing Small Uptick In Leisure Bookings

US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) Chief Executive Doug Parker is keeping a close eye on what may be the first sign of a recovery in the airline industry.

"We have seen a small uptick in leisure bookings over the past couple months," Parker said on the sidelines of the National Summit in Detroit on Tuesday. "We don't know what it means yet but there is something going on there."

Parker declined to disclose a percentage change but added that the increase is material.

The U.S. industrial sectors have been searching for any early signals that consumers are shaking off the economic recession and returning to their normal shopping habits. Earlier this month, General Motors Corp. (GMGMQ) executives called a bottom to dropping sales. Other companies, however, said it may still be too early for a rebound.

Parker said his company is taking all the steps it can to control costs. About 400 flight attendants were put on furlough last week.

The company sent notices asking for 300 volunteers from Phoenix and Las Vegas and another 100 from the East Coast. The volunteers from Phoenix and Las Vegas are being asked to take off 16 months. The remaining attendants will be asked to take off August through November.

The airline industry, meanwhile, has reduced the amount of available seats by 10% this year compared to 2008. Another seat reduction may occur if the economy doesn't improve. Parker is also still waiting for the more lucrative business travelers to return to the skies.

-By Jeff Bennett, Dow Jones Newswires; [e-mail]; 248-204-5542