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Fresh chaos for US air passengers Fresh chaos for US air passengers
(about 5 hours later)
The biggest airline in the US has cancelled another 900 flights after safety concerns forced it to ground 300 of its aircraft, AP news agency says. The biggest airline in the US has cancelled another 900 flights after safety concerns forced it to ground 300 of its aircraft.
It is the third day of cancellations by American Airlines. More than 2,400 flights have been affected, causing delays for 100,000 passengers.It is the third day of cancellations by American Airlines. More than 2,400 flights have been affected, causing delays for 100,000 passengers.
The action follows an inspectors' warning of problems with wiring repairs on the MD-80 aircraft two weeks ago.The action follows an inspectors' warning of problems with wiring repairs on the MD-80 aircraft two weeks ago.
Other major US carriers have also been forced to ground planes for inspection.Other major US carriers have also been forced to ground planes for inspection.
Southwest, Delta and United are among those affected, and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it could not rule out further groundings as it widens aircraft safety investigations in the next two months. Alaska Airlines has cancelled more than 40 flights, and Midwest Airlines 10, to inspect their own MD-80 jets.
The FAA has been tightening up its inspections since it was discovered last year that fuselage cracks on Southwest planes had gone undetected because of missed inspections. Delta Air Lines, which operates 117 of the twin-engined craft, was likely to call off "a handful of flights", AP reported the airline as saying.
Safety inspections
The US Senate is due to hold its latest set of hearings on airline maintenance and inspection later on Thursday.
American (Airlines) will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes Gerard ArpeyChief executiveAmerican (Airlines) will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes Gerard ArpeyChief executive
The MD-80 aircraft grounded by American Airlines on Wednesday make up nearly half of its passenger-carrying fleet. American Airlines has said the cancellations, which have affected nearly half its passenger-carrying fleet, were likely to continue until Saturday.
Chief executive Gerard Arpey has apologised to customers for the inconvenience. Chief Executive Gerard Arpey has apologised to customers for the inconvenience.
"American will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes, and our employees are working hard to ensure that we remain their choice for air travel," he said."American will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes, and our employees are working hard to ensure that we remain their choice for air travel," he said.
The FAA said it had checked several American MD-80s and decided that improvement work carried out did not meet its standards. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been tightening up its inspections since it was discovered last year that fuselage cracks on Southwest planes had gone undetected because of missed inspections.
The FAA said it had checked several American MD-80s a fortnight ago and decided that improvement work carried out did not meet its standards.