Some European airports reopened for business, but London's airports were still offline today because of the hazards to jet engines posed by that pesky volcanic ash from Iceland.

So, for the sixth day, American Airlines canceled its daily round-trip flights between RDU and London Heathrow.

The shutdown grounded Flight AA173 from Heathrow to RDU, which would have arrived at RDU at 4:05 p.m. Likewise, Flight AA174, scheduled to leave RDU at 6:15 p.m., also was canceled. They're RDU's only trans-Atlantic flights.

Authorities said they didn't know how soon it would be safe to resume flights to London.

Because volcanic ash can make jet planes crash, American Airlines today canceled its round-trip pair of flights between London Heathrow and RDU International Airport.

Airports across the United Kingdom and much of Europe were shut down today to avoid the hazards of a giant ash plume blowing south and east from an Icelandic volcano. 

The shutdown grounded Flight AA173 from Heathrow to RDU, which would have arrived at RDU at 4:05 p.m. Likewise, Flight AA174, scheduled to leave RDU at 6:15 p.m., also was canceled. They're RDU's only trans-Atlantic flights.

Authorities said they didn't know how soon it would be safe to resume flights.

American Eagle Airlines plans to add nonstop service between Fayetteville and Dallas/For Worth International Airport, increasing competition for travelers in the Sandhills region.

The affiliate of American Airlines, which already offers nonstop service between its hub in Dallas/Fort Worth and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, will begin the new service in June.

American Eagle will offer two daily nonstops on 44-seat Embraer jets each way between Dallas/Fort Worth and Fayetteville Municipal Airport.

“Not only will we provide visitors from across the country with convenient access to the area's historic sites, universities and award-winning golf courses - but these new flights will also link military personnel from the U.S. Army post at Fort Bragg and nearby Pope Air Force Base with destinations throughout American's global network,” said Gary Foss, an American vice president, in a prepared statement.

RDU officials say there is plenty of demand for travel to the Dallas area from travelers in the Research Triangle region.

"We do not expect it to impact service or competition here," RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin wrote in an e-mail. "We don't expect passengers to drive to [Fayetteville] from here since American offers daily service from RDU on its mainline aircraft."

American Airlines will begin charging passengers a $50 fee if they want to stand by for a different flight on their day of travel.

The standby option previously was free for the carrier, one of the busiest at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The move comes as airlines increase fees for luggage and other extras to make up for slowing sales.

If American customers don't squeal with too many complaints, expect other airlines to take similar steps.

American Airlines, the biggest carrier at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, said today that it is eliminating nine of its flights here.

Although it is cutting back its presence at RDU, AMR Corp.,the
corporate parent of the world's second-largest airline,  also unveiled plans to add flights at four of its hubs today. The moves are designed to strengthen its flight network by shifting capacity to its hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami and New York, the company said.

The local cutbacks will leave American and American Eagle with 44 departures from RDU to eight cities. The nine flights that are being eliminated are all American Eagle flights.

After the flights are shelved next year, American Eagle won't provide any service to St. Louis, Hartford, Conn., or Columbus, Ohio, said airport spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin. The airline also is cutting two flights to Boston but will still offer flights to that city.

American Airlines, the busiest carrier at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, plans to cut 921 flight attendant jobs as the recession hurts traffic and revenue.

The cuts will take affect Oct. 1.

The airline announced that 228 employees will be furloughed and 244 more were put on leave for two months. Another 449 took voluntary options such as leave.

American said previously that it planned to cut 1,200 flight attendant jobs after the summer travel season but was able to reduce the number by adjusting staffing requirements. The airline announced in June that it planned to cut 1,600 jobs, after trimming 6,840 positions last year.