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Fresh chaos for US air passengers Fresh chaos for US air passengers
(about 3 hours later)
The biggest airline in the US has cancelled another 900 flights after safety concerns forced it to ground 300 of its aircraft. The US's biggest airline has cancelled 900 more flights after safety concerns forced it to ground 300 planes - nearly half its passenger-carrying fleet.
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. Nearly 2,500 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.
Alaska Airlines has cancelled more than 40 flights, and Midwest Airlines 10, to inspect their own MD-80 jets.Alaska Airlines has cancelled more than 40 flights, and Midwest Airlines 10, to inspect their own MD-80 jets.
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. Delta Air Lines, which operates 117 of the twin-engined craft, was likely to call off "a handful of flights", the Associated Press reported the airline as saying.
American (Airlines) will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes Gerard ArpeyChief executive Full responsibility
American Airlines has said the cancellations, which have affected nearly half its passenger-carrying fleet, were likely to continue until Saturday. American Airlines has said the cancellations are likely to continue until Saturday.
Chief Executive Gerard Arpey has apologised to customers for the inconvenience. It's my fault and I take full responsibility Gerard ArpeyChief executive
"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. Chief Executive Gerard Arpey apologised profusely for the inconvenience to passengers.
"We are doing everything we possibly can to reaccommodate our customers," he said.
"It's my fault and I take full responsibility."
Mr Arpey added that the cancellations would cost the airline "in the tens of millions of dollars".
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 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.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.