Ash Cloud Likely to be Just a Blip for US Airlines

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2010 file photo, a Delta airplane is de-iced at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. Heavy winter storms hurt Delta Air Lines' results as the world's largest carrier said Tuesday, April 20, 2010, it lost $256 million in the first quarter.(AP Photo/Cliff Owen, file)

Harry R. Weber, AP Airlines Writer, On Tuesday April 20, 2010, 4:32 pm EDT

ATLANTA (AP) -- The volcanic ash cloud hovering over Europe shouldn't give Delta Air Lines Inc. anything worse than a migraine, as long as flight disruptions don't re-ignite. That's welcome news for a U.S. airline industry hoping for a big boost from summer travelers.

Delta said Tuesday that it lost $256 million in the first three months of the year, before the eruption of an Icelandic volcano shut down a large portion of air travel in Europe. The carrier expects to be solidly profitable in the current period, the second quarter. Analysts forecast a profit of about $559 million.

Spirit Airlines Chief Defends Carry-On Baggage Fee

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 21, 2010

Filed at 7:37 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The president of Spirit Airlines says there's been no significant fallout his new charge for carry-on bags.

Ben Baldanza defends his business model in a nationally broadcast interview while acknowledging it didn't sit well in some quarters. He joked that he'd never consider charging for bathroom use.