Schokkende berichten uit de VS vanmiddag: de moedermaatschappij van American Airlines vraagt het faillissement aan. Hier zijn de eerst headlines via MarketWatch:

• AMR names Thomas Horton as CEO
• AMR holds $4 bln in cash at it enters Chapt. 11
• AMR needs to address labor costs, restore profit
• AMR to conduct ‘normal business operations’
• AMR files for Chapt. 11 bankruptcy protection

De koers van het aandeel AMR crasht ondertussen met 60 procent (!) in de voorbeurshandel… UPDATE via WSJ:

AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York, a process that will allow the carrier to continue normal business operations as it restructures its debt. The company also named Thomas Horton as chairman and chief executive, succeeding Gerard Arpey, who will retire. “This was a difficult decision, but it is the necessary and right path for us to take—and take now—to become a more efficient, financially stronger, and competitive airline,” Mr. Horton said. The company has about $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, which is expected to be sufficient to pay vendors, suppliers and other business partners during the Chapter 11 process. AMR doesn’t expect to need debtor-in-possession financing.