LOW FARES + HIGH FUEL = LOSSES

This article offers a financial overview of the eleven U.S. Major airlines for the year 2004, and the first quarter of 2005. Although the airlines posted a combined $3.2 billion loss for the first quarter of 2005, as compared to half that amount in losses for the same period in 2004, three low-cost carriers (America West, JetBlue and Southwest) posted profits on a net basis. Low fares and rising fuel costs are reasons for these overall poor results. A brief analysis, along with financial and traffic statistics, is given for the major U.S. airlines, which include AirTran, Alaska, American, America West, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways.