American Airlines today issued the following statement:

American Airlines intends to comply with the Federal Aviation
Administration`s (FAA) direct order to reduce its total operations during
peak hours at O`Hare International Airport.

We thank U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norm Minetta, F.A.A.
Administrator Marion Blakey and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois for
their cooperative efforts to address this situation. American Airlines
also recognizes Mayor Daley of Chicago for his efforts to address the
capacity issue at O`Hare.

In responding to this order, American Airlines and its regional affiliate
American Eagle will remove 27 flights from their operations during the 1
p.m. to 7:59 p.m. time period each day starting March 2. American Airlines
is still finalizing its March schedule, but some flights will be cancelled
and others will be moved to less congested time periods. At this time,
American is unable to provide specific information about which 27 flights
will be affected.

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