DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
AMR Corp.'s (AMR) American Eagle regional carrier will stop
flying out of Dallas' Love Field for four years while the terminal
there undergoes major reconstruction.
The airline only flies to Chicago's O'Hare from Love Field,
which is the home base for discount carrier Southwest Airlines Inc.
(LUV). American Airlines' main hub is nearly Dallas-Fort Worth
International.
American Eagle, which has seven daily flights from Love Field,
will fly out of the airport through 2028 part of a 17-year lease
announced Thursday. The flight suspensions will begin June 11, and
affected employees will be helped finding other jobs in the
company.
The curtailment was due to both the terminal construction and
"difficult economic times." Carriers continue to cut back on
capacity as travelers pare back further on discretionary
spending.
The reconstruction is part of eased flying rules at Love Field.
Previously, flights from the airport were only allowed to go to
states bordering Texas. The rule's elimination is expected to
result in surging flight levels at Love Field.
Shares of AMR were recently down 3.7% at $3.13. The stock has
slumped 71% this year.
-By Kevin Kingsbury, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2136;
kevin.kingsbury@dowjones.com