High fuel costs, labour disruption and bad weather have savaged the final quarter of 2000 financial results of several US carriers. Northwest Airlines blamed work stoppages by mechanics and flight cancellations in December for operating losses of $34 million for the final three months of 2000, against a 1999 profit of $94 million. United Airlines was also hit, with operating losses of $163 million, warning of more in the first quarter of this year. America West and US Airways also made hefty losses, while Delta Air Lines says cancellation problems cost it $84 million in lost revenue. Increased revenues and fuel hedging helped American, Continental and Southwest ride out the 2000 storm and stay in the black.
Source: Airline Business
