BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Airline and local tourism and travel industry officials said Wednesday flights into the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport by American Airlines and American Eagle will not be affected by AMR Corp to file for bankruptcy on November 29th.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Mrs. Patricia Martin and Chairman of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Mr. Alphonso O’Garro said the assurance has come from the American Airlines local manager, Mr. Hugh Mallalieu.
Mr. Mallalieu also issued a company statement on the filing of bankruptcy protection.
American Airlines operates daily flights from Miami International and twice weekly – Sundays and Wednesdays – from JFK International in New York and daily flights from Puerto Rico’s Munoz Marin International Airport into St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection after its attempts to win a labour dispute with pilots ended unsuccessfully. Together with its parent company, AMR Corp, the airlines filed for bankruptcy November 29 after spiralling fuel costs had taken its toll.
The statement reads:
American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, announced that Judge Sean H. Lane of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York yesterday granted approval of a series of first day motions filed by the Company to help facilitate American’s and American Eagle’s continued normal business operations throughout the reorganization process.
The Company also reported that, as expected, American and American Eagle continued normal operations yesterday, with flights, reservations, baggage handling, customer service and other functions operating as usual.
“American continues to make progress on our path to a successful future,” said Tom Horton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMR and American Airlines. “The Court’s immediate approval of key motions ensures that customers around the world can continue to rely on American and American Eagle for safe, reliable and convenient air travel.
As American’s employees have continued to demonstrate, we are committed to our customers and we are confident in our future.”
American received authorization to, among other things:
Provide employee wages, health care coverage, vacation, and other benefits, without interruption;
Honor tickets and reservations, and provide refunds and exchanges as usual;
Fully maintain AAdvantage® frequent flyer and other customer service programs, and ensure all AAdvantage miles and elite status earned by members remain secure and intact;
Continue payments under existing fuel supply contracts;
Assume interline, clearinghouse, Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) and similar agreements; and
Continue to use existing cash management systems and maintain existing bank accounts.
