Recent numbers show that Sky Harbor Airport is no longer on the Top 10 list of busiest U.S. airports. That’s due, at least in part, to American Airlines cutting down on its number of flights. American had a nearly 7 percent drop in annual passengers at Sky Harbor.

Before US Airways merged with American, US Airways was known as the Valley’s hometown airline. And even prior to that, the distinction went to America West Airlines.

We spoke with America West’s founder Ed Beauvais about getting the airline off the ground and the current state of the industry.