 Preparing For Tomorrow
I’m glad to contribute once again to the Celebrated Living issue that recognizes the hotels, golf courses, spas, and cruises that you have chosen as the best of the best. I think if you polled the leaders of the companies we’re recognizing, they would agree that while nobody is immune from the challenges we are facing in the economy right now, this is no time to take our eyes off the big picture. Moreover, prudent investment in the future is essential if we want to continue delighting our customers and fulfilling the commitments we have made to our employees, our shareholders, and the communities that depend on us.
With that in mind, American Airlines recently placed into service the first of the 76 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft we will be receiving through the first quarter of 2011. The 737s, which will gradually replace our fleet of MD-80 airplanes, represent an investment in the future that will benefit all of our major stakeholders.
From a passenger perspective, the 737s will feature new First and Coach class seats that provide greater living space and comfort, as well as bigger overhead storage bins and an improved inflight entertainment system. From our employees’ perspective, these new aircraft will be maintained at our Tulsa, Oklahoma, maintenance facility by American Airlines workers, in contrast to many of our competitors who have outsourced most of their maintenance work overseas. Our shareholders will benefit from the fact that a new 737 burns 35 percent less fuel per seat mile than an MD-80. And of course, from an environmental perspective, our increased fuel efficiency translates to fewer emissions of greenhouse gases, and a smaller carbon footprint — a good outcome for everybody.
While the recession, coupled with the problems in our capital markets, makes investing more of a challenge these days, we believe it would be irresponsible not to make the investments we know are needed to preserve our role as one of the country’s foremost economic catalysts. By the same token, we believe it is absolutely essential that our government invest now in the modernized air traffic control (ATC) system our country urgently needs.
Hard as it is to believe, the current ATC system is based on decades-old radar technology that is less precise than available satellite-based technology. Its limitations are manifest throughout the country in delays and inefficient routings which slow the aviation system down, cost airlines and their passengers money and time, force us to burn far more fuel, and emit a lot more greenhouse gas than is necessary. Despite the current recession, the Federal Aviation Administration is forecasting significant long-term growth in air travel, which makes it critically important that as a nation, we start investing in a modern ATC system as soon as possible.
We cannot afford to let the economic woes of today, serious as they are, distract us from our responsibility to prepare for tomorrow. So as I thank you for flying with us today, I also want to assure you that my colleagues and I at American Airlines are not only looking forward to serving you for many years to come, we are getting ready to do so.
Have a great trip!
Gerard J. Arpey
Chairman and CEO American Airlines
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