American Airlines to cut capacity in 4th quarter

10/12/2011

DALLAS — Fall and winter service reductions at American Airlines could cost some workers their jobs at the nation's third-largest airline company.

American announced late Monday that it will reduce passenger-carrying capacity in the October-through-December quarter by about 3 percent compared with late 2010. It cited the weak economy, high fuel costs, and more pilots retiring.

Analysts said the move, along with similar recent announcements from United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, showed that airlines were serious about controlling costs.