American warns of US aviation ‘gridlock’

AMERICAN Airlines chief Don Carty has warned that when traffic reaches pre September 11 levels there will be substantial bottlenecks (“gridlock”) at US airports. He warned public officials not to be complacent about upgrading airports and air traffic control for future increase in travel. He said federal loan guarantees will ensure that airlines will at least survive the year. In fact some aviation experts believe that September 11 bought ailing airlines more time implying they were sick long before that tragic event but had no excuse to be bailed out. (Mark Gray)