Howard Hardee

US regional carrier Air Wisconsin is winding down its capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines as it initiates a strategic shift toward charter and essential air service flying.

United's strong fourth-quarter performance continues the trend of the "Big Two" - Delta Air Lines and United - raking in profits while fellow major US carriers American Airlines and Southwest Airlines lag behind.

Constrained production of commercial aircraft will likely boost United Airlines' international operations for the next several years, chief executive Scott Kirby said during the company's 22 January earnings call.

United Airlines struggled significantly with air traffic control-related delays at its congested airport hubs last year as the Federal Aviation Administration still lacks sufficient numbers of controllers, particularly in the Northeast USA.

American Airlines forecasts its fleet of long-haul aircraft will increase from about 125 to 200 jets - including about 40 A321XLRs - by the end of the decade.

The German airline is planning to fly an Airbus A380 between Munich and Denver on a seasonal route starting in late April and continuing through September.

In a year defined by a roughly month-long grounding of its Boeing 737 Max 9s and the costly acquisition of leisure carrier Hawaiian Airlines, Seattle-based Alaska Air Group posted a roughly $400 million profit.

Executives with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines said on recent earnings calls that they are dialling up utilisation of regional aircraft flown by feeder carriers.

The Washington, DC-bound widebody jet - operating as flight UA613 - reportedly dropped about 200ft, according to accounts posted on social media.

Worth watching this week will be the latest financial positions of US discounters, many of which have been overhauling their business strategies