American dials back late fall and winter flights

FORT WORTH, Texas?? American Airlines said Monday that it is dialing back the number of flights it will operate in late fall and winter, and plans to retire up to 11 Boeing 757 aircraft next year, citing uncertainty over the economy and high fuel costs.

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The flight schedule change will reduce the airline's mainline capacity in the fourth quarter by about 3 percent versus a year earlier, the company said.

Management said that advance bookings are generally in line with last year, but it wants to ensure it can run a reliable schedule.

The anticipation of pilot retirements in the fourth quarter also was a factor in the schedule change.

American has previously taken steps this year to cut its capacity as fuel prices moved higher and expectations for a pickup in the economy didn't come to fruition.

For the year, American expects its mainline capacity will be up 0.4 percent from 2010, while consolidated capacity will be up about 1.2 percent.

That represents a roughly 3 percent dip in the capacity forecast by American in January.

The airline, which is owned by AMR Corp., said that the reductions, high jet fuel and other factors will result in $51 million in charges for the third quarter.

In July, American ordered 460 fuel-efficient jets Airbus and Boeing.

American anticipates receiving the new Airbus and Boeing jets in 2013.

Shares of AMR added 3 cents to end the regular trading session at $2.53.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44852543/ns/travel-news/

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