The vicious cycle of ageing aircraft fleets and rising costs hits the US airlines,

analyses Le Figaro Economie. American Airlines had to cancel more than 3,000 flights last week to check the electrical systems of its mid-haul aircraft. Several of its domestic rivals also face ageing aircraft. This is a consequence of the 2001 crisis, explains the French daily. The US airlines, which were often close to bankruptcy, could not afford renewing their fleets. Today, they are very old indeed: 13.7 years in average for United, 14 yrs for Delta, 15 yrs for American, compared with 9.1 yrs for Air France, 5.7 yrs for Emirates and 6.9 yrs for Singapore Airlines. This leads to surging maintenance and oil costs. Le Figaro Economie deems the virtuous circle that allows airlines to generate financing capacities to buy new and fuel-efficient aircraft now seems out of reach for good. Le Figaro Economie