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America West Airlines it may still be interested in buying ATA Airlines, a day after discount carrier ATA filed for bankruptcy protection. "We're looking at it. We may still be interested. We may continue to work on an offering. We think a potential America West proposal may be more desirable for (ATA) creditors and employees," America West spokeswoman Janice Monahan said Wednesday. She said America West had held talks with ATA recently, but did not make a formal offer. On Tuesday, ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it would raise $87.6 million by selling its Chicago hub and other airport slots to AirTran Airways Inc. ATA founder and chief executive George Mikelsons' pledge to reporters Tuesday to "recreate ATA as a formidable, low-cost carrier" had barely left his lips when America West Airlines indicated it remained interested in making a bid for most, if not all, of ATA. An AirTran spokesman conceded that ATA's plan to remain independent, albeit considerably smaller, with the cash infusion could hit turbulence in bankruptcy court. AirTran, based in Orlando, Fla., has agreed to take over ATA's flight operations, 14 gate leases and routes at Chicago Midway Airport, as well as arrival and departure slots at New York's LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Oct 27, 2004

America West Airlines reported a third-quarter loss of $47.1 million. The airline also reduced its outlook and scaled back its 2005 expansion plans -- but said it would still consider a bid for part of bankrupt ATA Airlines Inc. For the three months ending Sept. 30, America West Holdings Corp. lost $1.30 per share, its first quarterly shortfall in more than a year for the company that was just rebounding after the Sept. 11 attacks. A year ago, the company had reported a profit of $32.9 million, or 60 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had projected a loss of about 63 cents per share for the quarter. In trading Wednesday, America West shares closed down 7 cents, or 1.6 percent, at $4.36 on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock has fallen more than 60 percent since the beginning of the year. Quarterly revenue was down 2.3 percent to $578.5 million. Oct 27, 2004

Most folks probably don't think about going to Vegas to get their Christmas shopping done, but there are actually many exclusive boutiques for those one-of-a-kind gifts and outlet malls for presents that won't break the budget. Customers who purchase tickets in the next two weeks can get fantastic deals from America West Vacations that'll make the shopping trip a treat for the shopper as well, including free spa passes and a two-for-one lunch buffet from Luxor. Customers who purchase tickets today through Nov. 12, 2004 for travel from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, 2004 can take advantage of these unbelievable packages priced as low as $91 for roundtrip air and a two-night hotel stay. These special deals are 20 percent below normal package prices. The Luxor is offering the following value-added amenities: two complimentary spa passes per room, for use Monday through Friday; one two-for-one lunch buffet per room; a $2 discount per person, up to two, at Passport to Adventure; and one discount coupon per room for up to $35 at Luxor retail stores at the Giza Galleria. To make a reservation, customers may go to www.americawestvacations.com or call 1-800-2-FLY-AWV (1-800-235-9298) and use the promotional code "Vegas Style." Oct 25, 2004

American Airlines is encouraged that the National Transportation Safety Board today ruled that the highly- sensitive rudder system on the Airbus A300-600 aircraft was a contributing factor in the Flight 587 accident that occurred Nov. 12, 2001, in New York City. American is extremely disappointed, however, that the Board named the pilot's actions as the probable cause, and that elements of American's advanced aircraft maneuvering program, which teaches pilots to recover from aircraft upsets, were a contributing factor. Today, American safely flies the Airbus A300-600 because of the knowledge it gained from the Flight 587 investigation, and changes it made to its procedures as a result. In fact, in one of his final statements, Mark Rosenker, vice chairman of the NTSB, said he was confident that the Airbus was a safe airplane and that he and his family are taking a trip on it in the near future. Oct 26, 2004

American Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation for authority to resume daily nonstop services between Dallas/Fort Worth and Osaka from November 2005, and to launch daily nonstop services between Chicago and Nagoya next April. Osaka would become American's 33rd international destination from its Dallas/Fort Worth hub, and Nagoya will increase to 19 the number of international points American serves from its Chicago hub. Together, Osaka and Nagoya will give the airline a total of seven routes between the US and Japan and allow American to expand access to an area of Japan that is home to many major Japanese and several key US companies. Both routes would use 236-seat Boeing 777s. If you have not been there Kansai International Airport, which serves the Osaka region, was opened in 1994 on a manmade island in Osaka Bay, a sort of super London City. A major expansion that includes a second runway was begun in 1999 and is scheduled to open in 2007. http://www.aa.com Oct 24, 2004

American Airlines, struggling with rising fuel costs and competition from low-fare carriers, will furlough up to 650 maintenance workers in Kansas City and St. Louis and up to 450 pilots, the company said in a memo given to employees Friday. The news came two days after Fort Worth- based AMR Corp., parent of American, reported that it lost $214 million from July through September and expected an even bigger loss in the fourth quarter. Before Friday's memo, American had furloughed nearly 2,600 of its 11,000 pilots and more than 4,500 flight attendants, although it was recalling 610 attendants for international routes. The latest cuts would push the number of furloughed pilots above 3,000. Oct 23, 2004

American Express has published its much-respected Global Business Travel Forecast for 2005, which indicates a continued steady revival of international business travel. Although the pace varies significantly by region and country, published air and hotel prices are expected to rise incrementally next year as demand recovers, outpacing the growth of supply in several markets. At the same time, increased competition &endash; particularly in the airline sector in several regional markets &endash; is likely to dampen any significant increases in travel costs. For 2005, American Express forecasts that global economy/short haul fares will rise by 0-3%, and international business fares by 2-5%. On the hotel side, room rates for both midrange and upper-range properties will increase by 1-3%. Budget carriers will continue to impact the airline industry in 2005. Attempts by European legacy airlines to significantly increase fares, however, are likely to be dampened by competition from low cost carriers, a trend that has gathered momentum over the past two years. Asia has also experienced phenomenal activity in mass travel arena. In India alone, ten budget airlines are in, at least, the planning stage. Low cost activity has also been strong in Thailand, Singapore and Australia, and new entrants are making inroads in Japan, China and the Gulf States. http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2004/pdf/ae_gbtf2005.pdf Oct 24, 2004

ATA Airlines, the nation's 10th largest carrier, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sold off airport slots and other assets to AirTran Airways Inc. for $87.6 million, to become the latest U.S. airline tripped up by rising fuel costs and fare wars. Orlando, Fla.- based AirTran Holdings Inc. will assume ATA's flight operations, gate leases and routes at Chicago Midway Airport and arrival and departure slots at New York's LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The deal is subject to approvals by the bankruptcy court and other entities and is expected to take effect by early next year, ATA officials said. Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Annette Martinez said ATA had not told the city of the deal, whereby Air Tran would take over ATA's 14 gates and flights at Midway. Oct 26, 2004