American Airlines woes

Dolores · #1 06-02-2008, 04:09 PM

The focus locally has been on the DR's mea culpa for raising taxes, airport charges and aviation fuel taxes. Also on the rising cost of fuel itself. All true factors.

But in the case of American Airlines, these have just worsened an already critical situation caused by an internal problem -- very high labor costs.

For years, American Airlines has been coping with its rising labor costs. While the current cost structure is unsustainable as is, and now the rising costs of fuel are forcing major changes, and thus the cuts.

Airlines such JetBlue and Air Europa, for example, do not have the additional burden of the labor costs and thus are better able to survive the high fuel costs.

GRS · #2 06-02-2008, 04:47 PM

What American has done, need it to be done years ago. If the airlines don't put a pressure on both the governement and the private sector, they will keep adding taxes and higher fees for an airline to operate in the airport. Sadly, we are in for a punch in the winter season because we will see flight cancellations, not just from AA but from the other leisure airlines that fly the tourists to Dominican Destinations.

Right now, over 50% of the air fare is in taxes. Taxes that are not well spent, taxes that are unnecessary and it has been like that for a long time. Tourism is our lifeline in this economy, if it drops, we are out of business. It's time that the governement start thinking about the aviation community.

Dolores · #3 06-02-2008, 06:17 PM

It seems to have been that as fares came down, the government padded the difference with taxes.

Anyway, American (and American Eagle) publish an ad reminding Dominicans avethat they have 29 daily flights to the DR. These are 5 to NY, 10 to Miami, 12 to San Juan, 1 to Boston, 1 to St. Martin.

The airline flies to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Santiago airports. It had added Samana, but that one was dropped. The DR is the country with the most airports served in the Caribbean, at least.

LatinoRican · #4 06-02-2008, 09:33 PM

AA is now charging $461.80 for a round-trip flight between San Juan/Santo Domingo. That's a 40 minute flight each way. $99.00 of this amout is Dominican airport taxes. Between both, they are royally screwing Dominicans and tourists alike. Ah! And come September, AA will only fly American Eagle planes to Santo Domingo, Something's got to give!

Kyle · #5 06-03-2008, 07:19 AM

not to mention with rising fuel costs in the US, the airfares are terrible this time of year. i guess i need to bite the bullet....

Berzin · #6 06-03-2008, 12:24 PM

It's not just tourists getting screwed, its' the dominican people themselves.

Those AA flights to the DR are always packed-and with less flights to Santiago, there will be more people trying to get on less planes. The prices will skyrocket out of control if they haven't already.

But the dominican government always sees this with an "I don't care" attitude. They will never decrease the taxes-how are they going to pay for all the jeepetas for every member of their family?

I am curious to see what the flights for the Christmas/New Years' holidays will be like. Dominicans will just not be able to travel back home like they did in previous seasons.

jalencastro · #7 06-03-2008, 12:53 PM

this problem is affecting every damn airline and it stinks....i just hope that nothing happens to my flight later this summer. i have had my ticket booked and confirmed from JFK-SDQ with Delta....they better not come at me later and say: SORRY, we cancelled that leg and no longer fly to DR from NY....sheesh!

playacaribe2 · #8 06-03-2008, 02:26 PM

you mean before September 9th and 12th. According to today's DR1 news, those are the dates Delta will stop flying JFK-SDQ.

Looking at the bigger picture, these and the AA flight cancellations coupled with higher oil and food costs for consumers worldwide will undoubtedly affect the upcoming tourist season.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalencastro

this problem is affecting every damn airline and it stinks....i just hope that nothing happens to my flight later this summer. i have had my ticket booked and confirmed from JFK-SDQ with Delta....they better not come at me later and say: SORRY, we cancelled that leg and no longer fly to DR from NY....sheesh!

POP Bad Boy · #9 06-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berzin

I am curious to see what the flights for the Christmas/New Years' holidays will be like. Dominicans will just not be able to travel back home like they did in previous seasons.

Well I can tell you this..........

I have a friend that I use the internet for to buy his ticket every December for his annual Christmas trip since I use the computer alot more than he does.

We made and paid for his reservation in March for December 2008 to January 2009.

1. His flight on AA has already been cancelled and they moved him to the ONE flight they will have per day which is 833 to Santiago at 6:00 am..(He was on 1889 ........which is being cancelled).

2. The price of a ticket on that flight now is over double what he has paid for both this year and the last 4 years...........He usually pays in the $400's and it is now over $800...........

santobonao · #10 06-03-2008, 09:09 PM

the issue is JFK-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, NOT MIAMI OR BOSTON