39 Quotes by Philip Baggaley

Northwest's hopes of negotiating concessionary labor contracts with its unions were overtaken by the surge in fuel prices, which deepened the airline's losses and cash outflow.

Northwest has been losing a fair amount of money for a while now. I expect they feel they need to move forward quickly on these cost savings given where fuel prices are and going into the weak winter season.

A situation where you have United, Delta and Northwest all in bankruptcy does make it easier to think about further consolidation.

American Airlines is benefiting from much improved pricing and load factors, particularly in the U.S. domestic market, which are helping to offset very high fuel prices.

As we've seen, these airlines never seem to shake out.

A bankrupt airline is anxious not to lose customers, especially business travelers, and may be wary of cutting service below competitors' levels for fear of confirming passenger suspicions that the company is not long for this world.

It's one thing to say that Northwest is managing through the strike impressively well. It's quite another to say they'll be able to get the concessions and other changes they need by mid-October.

It's almost certain losses will decline. American, Continental and possibly United could show a small profit this year.

That is high, particularly for an investment-grade company.