AMR first indicated it was exploring divesting American Eagle in 2008. But the industry's financial crisis of 2008-09 caused the Fort Worth-based company to table the idea.

Last June, it announced it was taking a fresh look at spinning off American Eagle. It's said little since, other than to reiterate from time to time that the idea is alive.


"There really isn't an update from last time," AMR chief financial officer Bella Goren told reporters Jan. 19. "We're continuing to evaluate our options, and we'll make a determination going forward."


Most of the news about American Eagle has come from updates sent to Air Line Pilots Association members by union officials. In a Feb. 4 letter to pilots, Tony Gutierrez, chairman of the ALPA master executive council at Eagle, said American Airlines officials had presented alternatives for an American Eagle divestiture to the AMR board in November and January.
Gutierrez concluded that the most likely outcome, if there is a separation, is for AMR to set up American Eagle as an independent, publicly traded carrier, with its shares given to AMR shareholders.


A week ago, ALPA said its officials met in late February with AMR chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey as well as American Eagle CEO Dan Garton to discuss the situation. Union officials were to meet last week with two investment banks that are advising AMR, with more discussions this coming week.