U.S. airline fleets showing their age

The nation’s aging airline fleets, already struggling with high fuel costs and growing passenger demand, delivered a further blow to travelers today as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines canceled more flights while planes were reinspected for compliance with federal maintenance rules. Experts said the airlines’ decision to voluntarily ground the planes didn’t signal that they were unsafe. But the episode is the latest indication that a combination of aging aircraft and schedule reductions are leaving the industry with fewer options. U.S. airlines, beset by financial woes that have forced them to postpone capital investments, operate some of the oldest fleets in the world, noted Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group. For the full story visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-american28mar28,1,1088861.story