Airlines: Wanted: Air Passengers And Profits

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have hammered an already weak airline industry. With many passengers saying they plan not to fly during the holiday season, the situation is not likely to improve anytime soon.

AIRLINE NET INCOME (2001, projected) STOCK PRICE (2001)

Southwest $345 million profit 20.8% down TWA $275 million loss 52.7% down* Continental $296 million loss 64.5% down Northwest $609 million loss 56.1% down Delta $1.01 billion loss 48.8% down U.S. Airways $1.19 billion loss 88.9% down American $1.46 billion loss 52.7% down* United $1.89 billion loss 71.7% down

Note: Stock price changes are year-to-date. *AMR Corp. is parent company of both airlines. Sources: Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, Air Transport Association, AAA. Reported by Laura Bradford