By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-897864.mp3
Fort Worth – Fort Worth's AMR Corporation says American Airlines lost 505 million dollars in the first quarter, blaming rising fuel prices and the down economy. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more
The half billion dollar loss - more than analysts expected - was more than the carrier lost a year ago. CEO Gerard Arpey said the airline just could not overcome the global economic environment and escalating jet fuel prices. American said earthquakes in Haiti and Chile also took a toll on the carrier. American hopes to improve profits by continuing development of it's international network. Network carriers include British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airlines. It is unclear how much the Iceland volcanic eruption will affect American. European airlines are the ones most severely affected. Bill Zeeble KERA news.