Status Changes: American Airlines and Dollar Thrifty held center stage
BY LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Sunday, December 30, 2012
12/31/12 at 9:03 AM
Time has marched on despite talk of ancient Mayan calendars and predictions to the contrary that the world as we know it might end.
Not only has time persisted, but much of 2012 has been packed with news-making business moments - from the ongoing debt crisis in the eurozone to our own economic struggles in the United States.
As with much of the nation, we have waited expectantly, if not anxiously, to find out what will become of the fiscal cliff and its accompanying tax hikes and spending cuts.
But for a good chunk of the year, our attention has centered on matters closer to home, such as the unfolding saga of AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, and how its bankruptcy filing in November 2011 ultimately would impact the Tulsa Maintenance & Engineering Center and its sizable workforce. Now all eyes are on AMR and US Airways Group Inc., which reportedly are moving closer to a possible merger that would create the world's largest airline.
Likewise, Tulsa-based Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc., captured headlines as Hertz Global Holdings Inc. completed its acquisition of the rental car company in November. Now the companies begin a transition.
There were other developments in 2012, and today on pages E4 and E5, the World's staff takes a look back at the biggest local stories of the year.
Top 10 stories of 2012
The Tulsa World Business staff voted the following stories to be the most notable based on the significance to the local economy and reader response:
1. American Airlines continues through bankruptcy
2. Hertz buys Dollar Thrifty
3. Brady District development takes off
4. Tulsa's jobless rate declines
5. No more Twinkies: Hostess shuts down
6. Home sales and new home construction rises
7. ONEOK has an up-and-down year
8. Phillips 66 and ConocoPhillips split
9. Keystone XL leg from Cushing is approved
10. Mergers and acquisitions for well-known Tulsa companies
Coming next Sunday
It's almost a new year. Next Sunday, the Tulsa World looks ahead to key business stories and people for 2013.
Original Print Headline: Status Changes
Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
An American Airlines jet sits on the tarmac at the American Airlines Maintenance & Engineering Center in Tulsa. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
Workers picket at the main entrance of the Hostess bakery at 11th Street and Sheridan Road in November. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World file
A traveler picks up his rental car at the Dollar Thrifty booth at Tulsa International Airport in August. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
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