Airlines grappling with high fuel costs | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

United Airlines Holdings and American Airlines Group said they may need to trim more capacity in the fourth quarter as aviation grapples with high fuel prices. American CEO Robert Isom told a Morgan Stanley conference in California that if fuel stays as high as it is now, the company will need to adjust its capacity planning. United CFO Mike Leskinen, speaking after Isom, said it will “make some adjustments” into the first quarter and beyond into 2027, adding that the goal is profitability and free cash generation rather than maximizing market share. American shares briefly gained up to 4% before ending Wednesday down 0.55%, while United rose as much as 2.7% before closing down about 0.6%. American expects fuel to add $1 billion in extra costs in the last three months and estimated roughly $6 billion in additional fuel costs for 2026, offset by year-end.