Airlines blame fuel prices for losses but see solid demand

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2008 | by Dan Reed

High fuel prices sent Northwest, JetBlue and AirTran airlines to fourth-quarter losses, but upbeat outlooks Tuesday from top executives helped calm fears that travel demand may be slowing.

Northwest CEO Doug Steenland told analysts during a conference call Tuesday that the carrier's advance bookings remain strong. "If anything, we're seeing demand a little stronger than we expected."

JetBlue said its unit revenue -- the average amount collected for each mile an airline seat is flown -- should rise 10% to 12% in the first quarter over the same period in 2007. CEO Dave Barger said that while "soaring fuel prices contributed to our fourth-quarter loss, we believe we are well-positioned as we move into 2008."

AirTran, which saw its fourth-quarter 2007...