Newsstand - Airlines cram more fliers into fewer seats, flights




stuartfla
Dec 6, 05, 3:41 pm
For the first time in recent aviation history, the financially troubled U.S. airline industry is shrinking domestic flying capacity in the face of strongly growing public demand for its service.
If the capacity reduction is the beginning of a long-term trend toward less domestic flying the implications could be profound.

For consumers, diminished capacity could mean higher average fares, fewer choices, fuller flights and fruitless searches for mileage upgrades and award travel. For communities, it could mean deteriorating or disappearing air service. For the airlines themselves, it could mean a fighting chance to regain profitability.

It's as if Fort Worth-based American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, and its feeder airlines had lopped off about 40% of their domestic airline seats in the last year.


USA Today Full story:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-12-06-air-capacity_x.htm


T


SEA_Tigger
Dec 6, 05, 6:19 pm
They cannot compete on price with the LCCs, so they need to shed the least profitable seats and concentrate on the passengers who will pay CASM-positive fares.



SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0