US airlines create a framework for consistent shareholder returns as investors grow more vocal

Now that US airlines seem to be enjoying a new cycle of financial stability they are attempting to create sustainability in an area that has historically lacked momentum - shareholder rewards.

The three major global network airlines have all crystallised some form of shareholder returns for the short term as rewarding investors is rising to become a new competitive attribute for airlines. Roughly seven months after American and US Airways closed their merger, the new American has outlined a share buy-back and issued its first dividend since 1980.

All of the new emphasis on rewarding shareholders is made possible by the balance sheet clean-up and de-levering occurring with most US airlines, which is allowing airlines to develop executable cash deployment strategies.