American Airlines suspende numerosos vuelos en EE.UU. por una falla técnica

Entre los aeropuertos afectados figuran los de Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare y Miami, algunos de los principales del país.

 

La compañía aérea estadounidense American Airlines anunció que un fallo técnico obligó a mantener en tierra gran parte de sus aviones en territorio de EE.UU..

De acuerdo con la web de la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA), estos problemas mantendrán a su flota aérea en tierra hasta al menos las 14:30 hora local (15:30 horas de Chile).

Poco después, la aerolínea informó en su cuenta de la red social Twitter que "estamos trabajando para resolver cuestiones técnicas y pedimos perdón por los inconvenientes" en "diversos aeropuertos".

Entre los aeropuertos afectados figuran los de Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare y Miami, algunos de los principales del país.

American Airlines es la mayor aerolínea del mundo por tamaño de la flota e ingresos.

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American Airlines Reports Lower Revenue, Higher Profit

Samantha Sharf

FORBES STAFF

In a statement on American Airlines first quarter earnings Friday CEO Doug Parker said he wants ”to restore American to the greatest airline in the world.” The company’s results, however, were mixed with revenue down slightly and profit up sharply making it unclear how soon Parker’s goal can be attained.

The American Airlines Group reported $9.8 billion in first quarter revenue, down 1.7% compared to a year earlier but in line with Wall Street expectations. The company pointed out that flight demand remained strong but revenue took hits from competitors’ capacity gains, the strong U.S. dollar and weakness in the Latin American economy.

Conversely profits doubled on a GAAP — generally accepted accounting principles — basis and tripled when using company adjustments to exclude expenses from its 2013 merger with US Airways, a new collective bargaining agreement with pilots and other special items. Adjusted net profit was $1.2 billion, or $1.73 per share. Per share earnings beat Wall Street’s consensus by two cents.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile was down 1.7% from the same period last year to 13.44 cents, as revenue passenger miles were down 2.1% to 44.8 billion and cost per available seat mile was down 5.2% to 12.8 cents thanks to a 42.2% decrease in fuel expenses compared to the first quarter of 2014.

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American shares were in slight positive territory in pre-market trading Friday hovering near Thursday closing price of $51.45. The stock is up more than 38% year-over-year.

Thursday United Continental Holdings reported a 1% decrease in revenue to $8.6 billion for the first quarter and adjusted net income of $582 million, or $1.52 per share, compared to $489 million loss a year ago. United shares were also positive Friday morning but not much changed from Thursday’s $62.80.

Last week competitor Delta Air Lines said that in the first quarter its net income more than tripled to $746 million, or 45 cents per share, on $9.4 billion in revenue, up 5%. That stock is up 26% year-over-year.

American Airlines, BQB y Delta Airlines enfrentan problemas en América Latina

El tránsito aéreo desde y hacia la Región se complica cada vez más para los pasajeros. Estos problemas suponen unos costos económicos significativos para las aerolíneas y los consumidores.

El anuncio reciente de American Airlines en Argentina, restringiendo a un máximo de 90 días el plazo en que las personas pueden comprar sus boletos, es una consecuencia directa de las políticas del país. El miedo a la depreciación del peso argentino y la diferencia que existe entre la tasa de cambio oficial ($8,40 pesos argentinos por US$1) y la informal ($15 pesos argentinos por US$1) son algunos de los factores que han llevado a la aerolínea estadounidense a tomar estas medidas frente al país suramericano.

LR habló con los voceros de American Airlines para Latinoamérica y la empresa dijo que aún no tiene una posición frente a este caso.

Claudia Velásquez, consultora aeronáutica, comentó que “American Airlines está mandando un mensaje muy claro para el gobierno de Cristina Fernández de cómo se perciben las decisiones que afectan los ingresos estimados dentro de un mercado determinado”.

Por su parte, en Venezuela, Delta Airlines manifestó que ya le pagó a 90% de sus clientes, cuyos vuelos fueron cancelados. Esta suma asciende a US$ 39 millones. Delta es una de las muchas aerolíneas que huyeron de este país debido a la deuda del gobierno de Nicolás Maduro con las empresas aéreas, que suma US$4.100 millones, debido al cambio de los bolívares que deben hacer al valor de la tasa oficial controlada por el Estado.

Jairo Fierro, abogado de derecho aeronáutico, explicó que compañías aéreas están entre las primeras empresas privadas en reaccionar ante condiciones políticas o económicas desfavorables.

“El transporte aéreo es clave para conectar los países. En esencia, se trata de una exportación e importación de divisas. Estas empresas aportan y representan grandes ingresos para el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) de cada país y tienen una voz y responsabilidad respecto a esto”, expresó.

Además, el paro de pilotos de la aerolínea Air France, que comenzó el lunes pasado, ha causado que la compañía cancele 60% de los vuelos en su operación global.

Según cifras de la empresa, cada jornada de huelga implica pérdidas de entre US$12,9 millones y US$19 millones.

Respecto a Colombia, el gerente general de Opaín S.A., Andrés Ortega, dijo que todavía no ha habido consecuencias en los vuelos operados por la francesa desde y hacia Eldorado.

Como si esto fuera poco, en Brasil también se han presentado obstáculos con las operaciones de las aerolíneas. La compañía de transporte BQB, basada en Montevideo, ha suspendido sus frecuencias hacia Brasil, cuyas rutas volaban a los aeropuertos de Porto Alegre, Curitiba y São Paulo. La razón detrás de esto es que la firma no pagó su suscripción anual a la International Air Transport Association (Iata), por lo que perdió su derecho de vender tiquetes.

Efectos políticos sobre las aerolíneas internacionales
Alberto Maya, analista de aviación comercial, explicó que como todas las empresas privadas, las aerolíneas no están dispuestas a prestar un servicio en un destino que no les es rentable. Por ejemplo, si la seguridad jurídica y las condiciones económicas no son viables, y además el contexto político es inquietante, las empresas aéreas optarán por salirse de ese mercado. En Argentina, las aerolíneas tomarán decisiones teniendo en cuenta que haya un flujo de caja constante para poder solventar sus gastos operacionales.

Las Opiniones

Jairo Fierro
Especialista en derecho aeronáutico y espacial
“Las aerolíneas son de las empresas privadas que reaccionan rápidamente ante condiciones económicas y políticas desfavorables porque representan ingresos enormes para el PIB”.

Andrés Ortega
Gerente general de Opaín S.A.
“En el Aeropuerto Eldorado, todavía no ha habido consecuencias en las frecuencias y operaciones de vuelos por las huelgas de los sindicatos de la compañía Air France”.

Fermina Salaverría Ávila

fsalaverria@larepublica.com.co

American Airlines to charge a new fee for unaccompanied minors

by  

Ben Geier 

For children aged 12-14 who are flying solo the airline will now charge $150.

It’s going to cost parents who fly their tweens across the country to see grandma on American Airlines  AAL 1.29% flights, according to reports in the Dallas Morning News.

The airline, which recently merged with fellow carrier US Airways, is now charging a fee of $150 for children aged 12-14 who are flying solo, according to an employee memo obtained by the newspaper. Previously, the charge was only mandatory for kids between 5 and 11, but starting Sept. 3 the age range will be extended.

The newspaper also reported that the company is working on merging the policies of the two carriers. US Airways, for example, doesn’t currently allow unaccompanied minors to have itineraries that include connecting flights. American does, so soon US Airways will allow children to make a connection as well.

For any tickets bought before the new charge goes into effect, children ages 12-14 will receive the unaccompanied minors service for free.

American Airlines, US Airways to form largest air carrier Monday

 

Airline mega-merger will have bumps

A deal to form the world's largest airline is set to be inked Monday.

The merger of American Airlines and US Airways is expected to form an air travel giant larger than the current industry leader, United Continental Holdings (UAL,Fortune 500).

The deal cleared a series of legal hurdles, including an antitrust lawsuit this fall from the Justice Department and a last-minute challenge from a consumer group.

The airlines and Justice Department settled the antitrust suit last month, and the Supreme Courtdeclined late Saturday to take up the challenge that the merger will lead to higher airfare and fewer choices for passengers.

Related: American, US Air cleared to land merger

American Airlines and US Airways (LCC, Fortune 500) are expected to sign the merger documents before markets open on Monday.

The new company will be called American Airlines and trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol AAL.

Passengers likely will not see effects of the merger immediately. They will continue to book flights under the American Airlines and US Airways brands. Ticketing and frequent flier programs are expected to be combined -- at the earliest -- in 2014.

Related: What the settlement means for fares

To secure the deal, the Justice Department required the airlines to give up some access at two major airports. The Justice Department said this would give opportunities to low-fare airlines.

Both Southwest (LUV, Fortune 500) and JetBlue (JBLU, Fortune 500) are expected to expand flights at New York's LaGuardia and Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National airports. Southwest has already said it plans to add six round-trip flights between LaGuardia and yet-to-be-announced airports.

A 2012 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found airfares "have not increased significantly" since 2004. Since then, a series of mergers produced the landscape of major carriers that exists today.

Related: The runway to the final four

The airlines argued the merger would provide customers more options.

American parent AMR (AAMRQ, Fortune 500) filed for bankruptcy in 2011 but in Julyreported a record monthly profit.

--CNNMoney's Chris Isidore contributed to this report 

The Happiest Airlines For Holiday Travel

Jacquelyn Smith, Forbes Staff

If it has to do with leadership, jobs, or careers, I'm on it.

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Happiest Airlines For Holiday Travel

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The 5 Happiest Airlines For Holiday Travel

The career site CareerBliss.com analyzed more than 1,000 job reviews written by airline employees in 2012 and 2013 to find the happiest airlines for holiday travel. Here are the five airlines with the happiest workers.

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The holiday season should be a joyous time filled with family, friends and festivities — but unpleasant airline employees can make getting to your holiday fun a misery. This year, as you book your getaway, you might want to consider which airline employees will be smiling from check-in to landing, making your trip at least a little bit more enjoyable.

The jobs site CareerBliss.com just announced its annual ranking of America’s Happiest Airlines for Holiday Travel. With Thanksgiving fast approaching and travelers preparing to jet off to their next destinations, this list of the five domestic airlines with the most blissful employees may come in handy.

“We know how important happy employees and a great company culture are in creating a positive experience for employees, managers and customers,” says CareerBliss’ chief executive, Heidi Golledge. “Flying friendlier skies can make this busy holiday travel season a little more enjoyable. Also, supporting companies who do an amazing job keeping their employees happy also creates good will as you become a personal promoter of employee happiness.”

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CareerBliss analyzed more than 1,000 job reviews written by airline employees in 2012 and 2013 to find the happiest airlines for holiday travel. Airline employees had been asked to rate factors that affect workplace happiness, including: one’s relationship with his of her boss and co-workers; workplace environment; job resources; compensation; growth opportunities; company culture; company reputation; daily tasks; and job control over the work performed on a daily basis.

They evaluated each factor on a five-point scale and also indicated how important it was to their overall happiness at work. The numbers were combined to find an overall rating of employee happiness for each respondent, and then they were sorted by company to find who the happiest airline employees were.

After three consecutive years on top, Southwest Airlines fell to No. 4 this year as American Airlines landed the No. 1 spot. With a “bliss score” of 4.33 out of 5, American is the happiest airline to travel this holiday season.

American Airlines ranked high in overall in the “company culture,” “relationship with co-workers” and “senior management” categories. One employee states they like working for American Airlines because “it’s [a] large reputable company with great employee benefits and pay.”

Flying in just behind American is Delta. The airline received a bliss score of 4.31, putting it in the No. 2 spot.

“Delta employees stated the way they work, as well as the rewards they receive including benefits, were key factors that contributed to their overall happiness within the company,” Golledge explains.

US Airways employees are also very pleased to be aboard. The airline earned a score of 3.96, placing it at No. 3.

“Similar to American Airlines, US Airways ranked the relationship with co-workers as a key factor in overall happiness,” Golledge says. “However, when it came to benefits and rewards, employees ranked these factors just slightly above average.”

Emotions always run high during the holidays for all employees, especially in industries that have seasonal increases in volume, such as the airlines. So when you are booking your holiday travel, consider which airline employees are truly cared for by their companies and the happiest, Golledge says. “This will impact your overall experience and make traveling over the holidays a little more blissful.”

She adds: “During the holidays–the busiest time of the year for travel— it is important to know which airlines are leading the way in employee happiness so you can feel good about using your travel budget with companies who treat their employees well. CareerBliss is proud to recognize the airlines that lead the way in creating positive work environments.”

Here are the top five airlines with the happiest employees:

1. American Airlines

2.  Delta Air Lines

3. US Airways

4. Southwest Airlines

5. JetBlue Airways

–

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This is an update of a piece that ran previously.

In An Industry Of Shrinking Loyalty Programs, American Airlines Chooses To Expand

Loyalty programs have been evolving rapidly among air carriers over the last few years. Gone are the days of lucrative mileage programs where upgrades are plenty and elite status is easy to attain. On many airlines, today’s elite program has stricter requirements for earning elite perks and fewer rewards for frequent flyers. It’s all part of the cost-cutting measures that have swept through the industry through the recession, moving revenue streams away from inflation-dictated growth to à la carte, ultra-efficient fares

Leading this charge was Delta Air Lines DAL +0.87%, which through a series of changes successfully minimized the role of frequent flyers on the company’s operation. Next year’s frequent flyer, for example, needs to spend a minimum amount of cash on the airline to be acknowledged as an elite member, and they can no longer earn status on several key partners. United has followed suit.

The reality of today’s airline industry is that competition is too high to spend lavishly on frequent flyers, so the trend towards shrinking loyalty programs is probably here to stay. But not all carriers are on board. American Airlines, the bankrupt airline in the midst of a rocky merger with US Airways has been actively soliciting elite flyers this year. In addition to rewarding its current elite passengers with generous rewards, the airline has also extended status-match offers to competing carrier passengers and has even given an incentive to new passengers to earn status.

American has taken none of the steps that competing airlines have to reduce their programs, leaving the requirements for elite status in place for the 2014-2015 year and even expanding their overseas network with the addition of Qatar Airways to the OneWorld network.

Apparently American doesn’t see elite passengers as such a liability. “We strive to win and retain the business of high yielding customers every day,” Bridget Blaise-Shamai, the Managing Director for Customer Loyalty and Insights tells me. “We accomplish this by leveraging data centered methods to ensure our offering of Elite Rewards or fast track elite status is relevant, yet non-dilutive. Our results have proven these initiatives to be revenue accretive.”

And the industry seems to be welcoming the changes with open arms. Brett Snyder, who runs the popular aviation blog Crankyflier suggests “After years of under-investment in the airline, American has come out guns-blazing with a range of new improvements. While many of them are still in the pipeline, American has been giddy over showing them off.  It thinks that now is the time to start trying to lock in newly loyal travelers.”

But it also may be a business decision based on American’s rocky trajectory through a bankruptcy and a potential merger. Those processes, which are expected to resolve in the coming months, are concerning passengers worried about their mileage balances and potentially shaking the foundation of their loyalty. An incentive to keep them with American, though less profitable for the company, could help guarantee future business. Perhaps only after the business milestones have passed will the airline consider making changes similar to other carriers. Or maybe they’ll call the competition’s bluff and keep a strong loyalty program, soaking up elites from around the community and reaping the revenue. For the sake of the passengers, let’s hope it’s the latter.