U.S. Airline Industry Tries to Cope with Economic, Political Changes.

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, January, 2003

By D.R. Stewart, Tulsa World, Okla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jan. 22--Bankruptcies. Layoffs. Wage concessions.

The U.S. airline industry has had its share of bumps and downturns in the past, but nothing like this: After a $7.7 billion loss in 2001, the industry lost an estimated $9 billion in 2002, say industry analysts.

And nobody knows when the bleeding will stop.

With United Airlines and U.S. Airways in bankruptcy and creditors nipping at the heels of every carrier except Southwest Airlines, management and labor are forging unprecedented partnerships to explore strategies for survival.

At American Airlines, the nation's largest carrier and Tulsa's largest employer -- with more than 10,000 workers --...

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