American to Cancel 900 More Flights Today

Continued passenger misery ahead as safety work continues

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2008 11:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – American Airlines expects to cancel 900 more flights today as the airline works to bring its MD-80 aircraft up to FAA standards, the New York Times reports. Thousands more travelers will be stranded at airport hubs, and the problem could spill into tomorrow. American is just the latest airline to be hit with groundings under the more aggressive FAA audits, and more are expected industry-wide in the weeks ahead.

“We don’t know,” said an FAA official when asked about that potential. “We find what we find.” Airports hit hardest in recent days by the American cancellations are O'Hare, LaGuardia, and Dallas-Forth Worth. Switching flights has proven tricky because most planes are flying full these day to cut costs.

A worker looks at the tail section of an American Airlines MD-80 aircraft at Dallas Fort Worth international airport in Grapevine, Texas . (AP Photo/LM Otero)

American Airlines chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey, personally apologized to the flying public for the airline's failure to follow an airworthiness directive. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Crowds of passengers wait in line at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Wednesday April 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

The reader board at Portland International Airport shows cancelled American Airlines flights in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, April 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

American Airlines to Cut 13K Jobs

Airline will emerge from bankruptcy with fewer workers

(AP) - The parent of American Airlines wants to eliminate about 13,000 jobs—15% of its workforce—as the third-biggest US airline remakes itself under bankruptcy protection. The company aims to cut labor costs by 20%, and will soon begin negotiations with its three major unions. AMR Corp. CEO Thomas W. Horton said today that the company hopes to return to profitability by cutting spending by more than $2 billion per year and raising revenue by $1 billion per year. More»

Top Carriers Weigh American Airlines Merger

US Airways, Delta in the running

(NEWSER) - Fellow airlines and a private-equity firm are considering buying American Airlines' parent company, which filed for bankruptcy just months ago . Though AMR has struggled in recent years—American hasn't turned a profit since 2007—its decades-old airline holds the No. 3 position among US carriers by traffic. A merger with Delta or US Airways would further shrink the number of major national airlines: There are currently just five, about a third of the number that existed some 20 years ago, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

FAA: Pilots Can Use iPads ... During Takeoff, Landing

But lowly passengers? No such luck

(NEWSER) - Well, Alec Baldwin will certainly not be happy to hear this: Starting Friday, if you're on an American Airlines flight, you may use your iPad during takeoff and landing ... as long as you're the pilot. The FAA issued the new rules yesterday, the New York Times reports. Of course, the iPads won't exactly be used to play Words With Friends ; they'll replace paper flight manuals. Passengers are still required to keep all electronic devices off until the plane gets to 10,000 feet. More»

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

Parent firm says voluntary move best choice for firm

(AP) - American Airlines and American Eagle's parent companies are filing for bankruptcy protection. AMR Corp. and AMR Eagle Holding Corp. said today that they filed voluntary petitions to reorganize, saying it's in the best interest of the companies and its shareholders. American says it sought protection to reduce its costs and debt to remain competitive in the airline industry. American was the only major US airline that didn't file for bankruptcy protection after the 2001 terrorist attacks. American says labor-contract rules force it to spend at least $600 million more than other airlines. Fox News adds that rising jet fuel costs also contributed to the airline's massive debt. More»

Emirates Airline Places Record Boeing Order

50 Boeing 777s would be priciest deal ever

(AP) - Dubai's fast-growing airline, Emirates, kicked off the region's biggest airshow today with an order for 50 Boeing 777s, which the US-based aircraft maker described as its biggest single order in dollar terms in history. The list price for the deal is $18 billion, but airlines typically negotiate discounts for large orders. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

American to Cancel 900 More Flights Today

Continued passenger misery ahead as safety work continues

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

FAA • Boeing • airline industry • American Airlines • flight cancellation • Boeing MD-80

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

American Airlines to Cut 13K Jobs

Airline will emerge from bankruptcy with fewer workers

Top Carriers Weigh American Airlines Merger

US Airways, Delta in the running

FAA: Pilots Can Use iPads ... During Takeoff, Landing

But lowly passengers? No such luck

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

Parent firm says voluntary move best choice for firm

Emirates Airline Places Record Boeing Order

50 Boeing 777s would be priciest deal ever

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

American to Cancel 900 More Flights Today

Continued passenger misery ahead as safety work continues

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

FAA • Boeing • airline industry • American Airlines • flight cancellation • Boeing MD-80

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

American Airlines to Cut 13K Jobs

Airline will emerge from bankruptcy with fewer workers

Top Carriers Weigh American Airlines Merger

US Airways, Delta in the running

FAA: Pilots Can Use iPads ... During Takeoff, Landing

But lowly passengers? No such luck

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

Parent firm says voluntary move best choice for firm

Emirates Airline Places Record Boeing Order

50 Boeing 777s would be priciest deal ever

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?