2006年VOA标准英语-UAL Posts First Quarterly Profit in Six Years

By Mil Arcega
Washington, DC
02 August 2006
 
watch Airline Profit report

The financial picture for some of the nation's major air carriers appears to be improving. United Airlines, which emerged from bankruptcy¹ protection earlier this year, says it is making money again after six years of losses.

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U.A.L., the parent company of United Airlines, is reporting a second quarter net profit of $119 million.  That reverses last year's trend when the U.S.-based carrier lost more than $1.4 billion from April to July.
 

Ray Neidl  
  
Industry analyst² Ray Neidl says a number of factors may have contributed to the turnaround. "Planes are packed, there are very few empty seats, and if that is the case, that's calling for a price increase.  The demand is greater than supply."

Fewer planes are flying to fewer destinations this year. But industry analysts³ say more people are flying and they are paying more to travel.  Ticket prices are about nine percent higher than they were last year.  And Neidl says that's another sign the airline industry is finally emerging from the prolonged slump⁴ that started after September 11, 2001.  "Airlines have done a very good job, in my opinion, since 9/11 of streamlining their operations."

  
  
But the airline's gains come at a high price.  U.A.L. had to slash⁵ its operating costs by $7 billion.  The airline also cut 43,000 jobs and reduced wages, pensions and benefits for its remaining employees.  Labor⁶ leaders say a similar move by Northwest Airlines could lead to a strike. The airline has imposed a contract rejected by its flight attendants that includes a 40 percent wage and benefits cut.

Despite ongoing⁷ labor issues and the increasing cost of fuel, the five largest U.S. airline companies reported a collective profit of more than $1.2 billion for the second quarter of 2006.  Analysts say that's a strong showing for an industry that's still trying to reinvent itself after six years of declining profits.

1 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 slump   

n.暴跌，意气消沉，（土地）下沉；vi.猛然掉落，坍塌，大幅度下跌

参考例句：

• She is in a slump in her career.她处在事业的低谷。
• Economists are forecasting a slump.经济学家们预言将发生经济衰退。

5 slash   

vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩

参考例句：

• The shop plans to slash fur prices after Spring Festival.该店计划在春节之后把皮货降价。
• Don't slash your horse in that cruel way.不要那样残忍地鞭打你的马。

6 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

7 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。