US Airways (LCC), AMR (AMR), Delta (DAL), United Continental (UAL), JetBlue (JBLU) Remain Under Pressure on Rising Crude Prices

Shares of airlines like US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC), AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR), Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL), United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ:JBLU) continue to be under pressure as crude prices are at their highest levels in over two years.

Unrest and the resultant uncertainty in the Middle East is driving oil prices up.

The AMEX AIRLINE INDEX (AMEX:XAL) closed the week down as well, finishing at $42.29, down $0.57, or 1.33 percent.

A boost in fuel prices will pressure margins and earnings for airlines, as they still struggle for consolidation and balance after the U.S. recession through 2009 - 10, and following the previous surge in oil prices above $100 a barrel in mid-2008.

US Airways closed Friday at $8.28, down $0.08, or 0.96 percent. AMR closed at $6.14, falling 0.25, or 3.91 percent. JetBlue ended the session at $5.545, dropping $0.08, or 1.42 percent. Delta closed the day at $9.91, down $0.35, or 3.41 percent. United Continental closed at $22.26, falling $0.77, or 3.34 percent.