American Airlines cancels over 1,000 flights

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — American Airlines said Wednesday it had been forced to cancel over 1,000 scheduled flights because of tests the government required on wiring fitted to its fleet of MD-80 aircraft.

The cancellations created havoc for travellers across the United States who had booked Wednesday flights with American Airlines, the country's biggest carrier.

Company officials said the airline was forced to ground the flights so it could comply with a directive issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requiring it to inspect the bundling of wires in the wheel wells of its passenger jets.

"We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our customers," American Airlines chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey said.

American's problems...