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December 2, 2008 6:02:14 AM CST

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American Airlines Cleared to Fly Again

Posted Apr 12, 08 2:05 PM CDT in Business,  US 

(Newser) – Federal officials cleared American Airlines today to resume flying all but three of its grounded MD-80 jets, the AP reports. American wanted to run a full schedule today, but "we still need to get the planes positioned for their next flights," a company spokesman said. The full fleet of aging planes will be on schedule by tomorrow morning, the AP reports.

American, the nation’s largest airline, has scrubbed almost 3,300 flights since Tuesday after failing to meet FAA guidelines. The cancellations left thousands of travelers stranded and may cost the airline $30 million, one analyst said. The carrier, which has the second oldest fleet of jets, vows to rush plans to swap its MD-80s with newer, more fuel-efficient planes.

Source Associated Press

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The American Airlines flight cancellations left thousands of travelers stranded.   (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
American Airlines MD-80 jets, grounded since Tuesday, failed to meet federal aviation standards.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey says neither mechanics nor the FAA were to blame for the cancellations.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
American Airlines plans to resume normal operations today.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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gas prices • American Airlines • FAA • flight cancellation • repair • MD-80 series • Gerard Arpey


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