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American Airlines Report Roasts FAA

Airline blames policy switch for thousands of canceled flights

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 2, 2008 10:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – American Airlines blames the FAA for its recent grounding of thousands of flights, the Wall Street Journal reports. The airline is set to deliver a report today that says 3,300 flights were canceled because FAA headquarters reversed a "handshake deal" the airline had with regional aviation officials that was supposed to allow the company to comply with changes in FCC wiring standards on its MD-80 aircraft without cancellations.

Insiders say that the report claims the FAA—shaken by a public uproar over maintenance lapses at Southwest—changed its policy overnight, leaving the airline with no option but to strand hundreds of thousands of passengers. The FAA is expected to dispute American Airlines' take on events and say the groundings were due to poor workmanship on the aircrafts' wiring system that caused a safety hazard.

A lone traveler walks in the deserted baggage claim area for American Airlines, Thursday, April 10, 2008, at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The reader board at Portland International Airport shows canceled American Airlines flights in Portland, Ore., in this April 9, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)

American Airlines flight crew members walk under company jets at LaGuardia Airport in this April 9, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Frances Roberts, File)

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American Airlines Report Roasts FAA

Airline blames policy switch for thousands of canceled flights

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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

Riskiest Part of Flight Might Now Be on Ground

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

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

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American Airlines Report Roasts FAA

Airline blames policy switch for thousands of canceled flights

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

FAA • airline industry • American Airlines • airline safety • aircraft • 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

Riskiest Part of Flight Might Now Be on Ground

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

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

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?