American to Cancel 15 Round Trips Due to Fuel Prices

Sept. 30, 2005
American announced Friday that it was canceling 15 round trips from its two largest hubs, Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth international airports.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- American Airlines, the largest U.S. air carrier, announced Friday that it was canceling 15 round trips temporarily in markets it serves from its two largest hubs, Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth international airports.

The cutbacks will go into effect Wednesday and continue through Oct. 29, when American said it will evaluate the jet fuel market and decide whether to restore the flights.

''The skyrocketing price of jet fuel has forced American Airlines to take the regretful step,'' according to a statement issued by the Fort Worth-based airline, a unit of AMR Corp.

American also said it would discontinue flights between Chicago O'Hare and Nagoya, Japan at the end of October because of fuel prices.

Jet fuel costs have risen 39 percent in the past month. That alone prompted the decision, said Dan Garton, American executive vice president. American said jet fuel cost 91 percent more Thursday than in September 2004, while crude oil prices had increased just half of that amount, 45 percent, in the same period.

American said it cut back markets that would have plenty of other American flights operating.

''We have made incredible progress in lowering our operational costs for over two years now. However, skyrocketing fuel costs have eaten up all of those savings and more,'' Garton said.