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AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File

American Airlines files for bankruptcy

The fourth largest airline in the world lost $868 million (€650 million) during the first nine months of this year.

THE PARENT COMPANY of American Airlines, the fourth largest airline in the world, is filing for bankruptcy.

The airline lost $868 million (€650 million) during the first nine months of this year – and was reportedly the only major US airline to lose money last year.

The parent company is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to unload massive debt built up by years of increasing prices of jet fuel and a number of industrial action disputes. The CEO of the company will also step down.

The airline was the last major US airline which hadn’t filed for bankruptcy protection.

AMR, the airline’s parent company, said in a statement that it sought protection to reduce its costs and debt to remain competitive.

The airline will honour all tickets and reservations and continue normal flight operations during the bankruptcy filling.

Analysts had speculated about a bankruptcy filling as shares in the company sank and it struggled to make money while its rivals reported profits. Most recently, the company’s inability to reach a contract with its pilots fueled talk about a possible filing.

- Additional reporting by Associated Press

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9 Comments
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    Mute John Kelly
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    Nov 29th 2011, 2:30 PM

    Americian airlines needs the services Michael o Leary

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    Mute Dave finn
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    Nov 29th 2011, 2:32 PM

    It means very little for passengers when US airlines file for bankruptcy – they carry on operating exactly as normal, but get to hammer their creditors, and unfortunately their staff too. :-/

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    Mute Mensah Mensah
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    Nov 29th 2011, 2:41 PM

    The tax man to the rescue again…and the fat cats will be laughing while the pensioneers will be sqeeze again….

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    Mute Dave finn
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    Nov 29th 2011, 5:09 PM

    What has the taxman got to do with it? American is a privately owned airline.

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    Mute Andrew Telford
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    Nov 29th 2011, 4:38 PM

    I stopped flying them out of Dublin, terrible service, on an old crappy 757, that went to seasonal operation

    It’s been expected for a long time

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    Mute Silent P
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    Nov 30th 2011, 12:21 AM

    Agree. I felt like I was on the set of a 1970′s Airplane movie flying trans Atlantic with them. Their internal US planes are much better.

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    Mute Alan O Cearbhalláin
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    Nov 29th 2011, 5:13 PM

    Were American and United not supposed to be merging ?

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    Mute Dave finn
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    Nov 29th 2011, 5:30 PM

    No, United merged instead with Continental.

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    Mute Eggfuel
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    Nov 29th 2011, 11:20 PM

    Apparently the books were frightening… Seems that was correct..

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