September 13, 2001 - Across the nation today airlines began restoring service after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted it's FIRST EVER ban on civilian aviation. The FAA closed the nation's skies in the wake of Tuesday's terror attacks in New York and Washington. In about a half an hour, the first Northwest Airlines flights are scheduled to depart the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports, it could easily be early next week before the nation's airlines are running anywhere close to normal.
September 19, 2001 - Mesaba Airlines is cutting flights to many of Minnesota's rural airports. The company says it's part of Northwest Airlines plan to reduce service by 20 percent, following last week's terrorist attacks. For many customers it's an inconvenience, but for some of the state's smallest airports, it's potentially crippling blow. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post reports. {
September 19, 2001 - The prospect of increased military spending in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks has prompted a dramatic rise in the stock prices of some defense contractors---including Edina-based Alliant Techsystems. The company makes ammunition and precision guided munitions that may be needed as the nation goes to a war footing. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
September 19, 2001 - Northwest Airlines and the nation's other airlines are in Washington D.C. pushing hard for a multi-billion dollar government assistance package they say is needed to save the industry. Northwest CEO Richard Anderson will testify before the House Transportation Committee today. Yesterday Anderson joined other airline executives in meetings with Bush administration officials. As the industry scrambles for relief, layoff announcements at other carriers continued and unions at Twin Cities-based Northwest are bracing for major workforce reductions.
September 19, 2001 - Medtronic officials have advised their 26-thousand employees to curtail nonessential air travel until further notice. Fridley-based Medtronic spends about 50 million dollars a year on airfares and books an average of 37-hundred employee flights a month. CEO Art Collins says he decided to limit travel after many of his employees were stranded in New York and Washington during last week's terrorist attack.
September 19, 2001 - American Airlines and United announced today they will cut 20-thousand jobs each. The layoffs are the latest in series of cuts by major airlines that are struggling to stay afloat in the face of financial losses exacerbated by last week's terrorist attacks. Officials from the U.S. airline industry testified before a House Transportation Commitee in Washington today, asking for a 17.5 billion dollar aid package. Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said he wants the government to act fast to protect the industry from financial ruin.
September 19, 2001 - The Minnesota based St. Paul Companies... one of the nation's largest business insurers... says it's projecting nearly three quarters of a BILLION dollars in losses from last week's terrorist attacks. Despite the heavy cost, the company says it stands ready to pay ALL OF ITS CLAIMS and that it has sufficient assets to handle the losses. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 19, 2001 - Flight attendants are among the workers at Northwest Airlines anxiously awaiting news on layoffs. That's not all they have to worry about. Many are still concerned for their safety in the air. And while some are satisfied with efforts to improve airline security, others say the company and the industry are acting too slowly. Northwest flight attendants met with union leaders yesterday to discuss these and other issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg spoke with some of them.
September 20, 2001 -
September 20, 2001 -