United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Record number of US airlines now in backruptcy
Both Delta and Northwest filing for bankruptcy on the same day revealed the serious plight of the US’s big airlines, which have lost more than $30 billion in just four years.
“We are reading the first page in a thriller that will end either in resurrection or the death and burial of an entire industry as we know it today,” William Rochelle, an airline bankruptcy lawyer, told the Associated Press.
The filings in New York put four of the seven largest US airlines in Chapter 11 at once, which is unprecedented in the industry. Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways are all in Chapter 11.
Delta and Northwest both said passengers should not expect to see any immediate effects from the filing.
The bankruptcy protection will allow the airlines to pursue cuts in wages, restructure their debt and make changes to expensive pension plans and health benefits.
Delta, the nation’s third-largest carrier, has lost nearly $10 billion over the last four years.
Northwest, the US’s fourth-largest airline, had been in better financial shape than many of its competitors. Observers say that was due to its extensive Asian network and cargo business, both of which were thought to be profitable.
By filing for bankruptcy now, the two airlines beat an 11 October deadline when the law will become more restrictive and make it harder to cancel debts.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations