American will Install Winglets on Its 767s

Apr. 26 -- American Airlines plans to install winglets on its Boeing 767s, a move that the airline hopes will save millions of dollars in fuel costs.

American said Wednesday that it will be the launch customer for the new winglets developed by Aviation Partners Boeing.

The drag-reducing blended winglets will be installed beginning next year and the work will be completed by 2010.

The winglets help an airplane fly more efficiently, burning less fuel. Executives at American, which is based in Fort Worth, hope that the upgrade will save 17 million gallons annually.

During the first quarter, American paid $1.4 billion for jet fuel, nearly double what it paid in 2003.

The winglets will also extend the range of the airplanes by 360 nautical miles and improve takeoffs. American is also installing winglets on its Boeing 737s and 757s.

Airline officials also said they hope to install the winglets for other carriers at their maintenance bases in Fort Worth, Tulsa and Kansas City.

Shares of AMR Corp., American's parent (ticker: AMR), closed at $29.02, up $1.30, or 4.7 percent, Wednesday.

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