Airline Changes due to Japan Crisis

As the tsunami crisis in Japan deepens due to the earthquake-damaged nuclear plant, airlines are doing what they can to continue service as usual and not feel a big shift. However some changes are effecting them taking to the skies. United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) reported a “measurable decline” in demand for Japan-bound flights and signaled some flying may be cut. Andrew Ferraro, a spokesman for the company commented yesterday that quote, “We are monitoring the markets closely and will continue to provide the level of service that is warranted by demand and which can be operated safely." Ferraro declined to comment on whether seating capacity to Japan will be trimmed. The Chicago-based carrier is the first major U.S. airline to say Japan travel has declined after the quake, tsunami and radiation leaks from the stricken power station. Meanwhile, American Airlines’s planes are “pretty much full in both directions." This news comes from the carrier’s international vice president who said American will continue to fly as long as there’s demand and it’s a safe environment to fly into. And Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) plans to suspend flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The airline's daily flight to Haneda from Los Angeles and Detroit will be put on hold starting next week, with customers re-accommodated to flights out of nearby Narita Airport. Spokesperson Betsy Talton said, "Given recent events in Japan, it is more efficient for us to run our operations from our hub at Narita." Talton also mentioned that the focus is on running a safe operation. Delta has the most seating capacity generated in Japan among the largest U.S. airlines, at about 7%, followed by 5% for United Continental and American’s 3.5%, according to Gary Chase, a Barclays Capital analyst in New York. Passengers on United, Continental and Delta have the option of receiving refunds for some Japan tickets or to waive fees to rebook flights, while Fort Worth, Texas-based American is offering a free ...

Channel: ClipSyndicate Video Length: 0s Date Found: Thu, Mar 17 2011 6:57 PM Category: News Date Produced: Thu, Mar 17 2011 2:53 PM View Count: 0