The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico and American Airlines Group

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Sep 18, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL-Free Report), JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU-Free Report), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV-Free Report), Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC-Free Report) and American Airlines Group Inc. (Nasdaq:AAL-Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Airline Stock Roundup

Over the past 5 trading days, airline stocks exhibited a downward momentum despite upbeat August traffic results from major carriers like Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL-Free Report) and JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU-Free Report). Other events that grabbed attention include Southwest Airlines Co.'s (NYSE:LUV-Free Report) plans to fly to Costa Rica and hurricane Odile wreaking havoc for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC-Free Report).

A Recap of Last Week's Most Important Stories

1. Southwest Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly to Costa Rica. Once operational, it will serve as Southwest Airlines' first Central American destination. The daily roundtrip service will connect Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) in Baltimore, WA and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. (Read More: Southwest Airlines Plans International Service to Costa Rica.)

2. Airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico is facing a difficult time owing to hurricane Odile, which lashed across Baja California on Monday. The Category 3 tropical storm caused severe damage and left thousands of passengers stranded amid heavy rainfall and steep winds. (Read More: Grupo Aeroportuario's Operations Hurt by Hurricane Odile.)

3. JetBlue Airways has registered steady traffic growth in Aug 2014. The carrier reported airline traffic – measured in revenue passenger miles or RPMs – of 3.72 million, up 6.7% year over year, representing the seventh consecutive month of traffic growth post a dip in numbers in Jan 2014. (Read More: JetBlue Airways' August Traffic Gains 6.7% on Fuller Planes.)

4. American Airlines Group Inc. (Nasdaq:AAL-Free Report) reported traffic results for the month of August 2014. The company's traffic results remained flat year over year while consolidated capacity (or available seat miles/ASMs) rose 1.1%. The carrier witnessed a decline in traffic in Atlanta and Latin American markets by 1.6% and 1.9%, respectively.

5. Delta Air Lines also reported traffic results for the month of August, which increased 3.1% year over year. The growth came mainly on the back of 3.8% increase in domestic traffic and 2.1% growth in international traffic. Further, consolidated capacity rose 2.7% and load factor grew 0.3%.

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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