AMR CEO says will decide soon on new aircraft orders
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp. is close to making a decision on buying new aircraft to replace the aging MD-80 aircraft in its fleet, Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive of the world's largest airline, said during JPMorgan's Aviation and Transportation Conference Wednesday.
American, along with most major U.S. carriers, in recent years hasn't had the money to upgrade its aircraft fleet. Arpey noted that MD-80's burn a lot more fuel than more modern narrow-body aircraft. He said American will decide "in the near future" on a strategy for replacing MD-80's, based on discussions with aircraft and aircraft engine makers. American must decide how many orders to place for aircraft currently in production, or to wait for next-generation planes which save even more fuel.
Arpey said American has a "flexible" arrangement with Boeing Co. for ordering new planes. Boeing made the MD-80's, which are no longer in production.
Overall, American has more than 700 aircraft in its fleet.
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp. is close to making a decision on buying new aircraft to replace the aging MD-80 aircraft in its fleet, Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive of the world's largest airline, said during JPMorgan's Aviation and Transportation Conference Wednesday.
American, along with most major U.S. carriers, in recent years hasn't had the money to upgrade its aircraft fleet. Arpey noted that MD-80's burn a lot more fuel than more modern narrow-body aircraft. He said American will decide "in the near future" on a strategy for replacing MD-80's, based on discussions with aircraft and aircraft engine makers. American must decide how many orders to place for aircraft currently in production, or to wait for next-generation planes which save even more fuel.
Arpey said American has a "flexible" arrangement with Boeing Co. for ordering new planes. Boeing made the MD-80's, which are no longer in production.
Overall, American has more than 700 aircraft in its fleet.