Americans returning to skies

Passenger traffic increasing, but well below year-ago levels


In a nod to the importance of corporate travelers to their bottom lines, two of the nation’s biggest airlines introduced discounts on business fares at a time when planes are flying half empty nationwide. The reduced fares being offered by United and Continental will mostly benefit small- and medium-sized businesses as opposed to large corporations, which already were given even steeper discounts through individually negotiated contracts.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/633342.asp?cp1=1

At a time when some tourists are frightened about flying to New York, about 800 Oregonians are taking to the skies for a unique airlift that follows the mayor's call for Americans to keep visiting the stricken city. The Oregon delegation is so large and the trip such a last-minute event that it will take 62 flights to get the massive contingent there.

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/....ap/index.html

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-03-2001).]

We are now at last seeing some signs of consumer-focused activity from the airlines, which have been seemingly more
interested in securing federal aid than in giving customers compelling reasons to return to the skies. While fare sales are just beginning to appear, unfortunately most of the pricing activity has been confined to discounts on unrestricted economy-class fares, typically purchased only by business travelers.

In contrast, we're seeing much broader mileage marketing initiatives. Most notably: a flurry of activity from AA which has already elicited a competitive response from DL and, it is hoped will also possibly spur other carriers to meet or even exceed their offers as well.


Time will tell! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Fearful fliers: We'd like a ticket not to ride

"I'll fly again one of these days, I promise; there are too many people I love outside a reasonable driving distance to do otherwise. Like millions, I just need some time -- if nothing else to figure out a new takeoff prayer and mojo routine. The old one, I am certain, is no longer up to the job."

[URL=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2001/10/03/ED229362.DTL]http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2001/10/03/ED229362.DTL[/ URL]


Bill to encourage Americans to resume travel

"The events of September 11th have devastated the travel industry more than any other segment of the economy, and the situation will worsen until Americans resume travel," said Sen. John Kyl.

The tax credit would only be available for travel expenses incurred from the time the bill becomes law to December 31, 2001.

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/...its/index.html




[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-05-2001).]

A Cautionary Tale for a New Age of Surveillance

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/ma...VEILLANCE.html

The strikes on Afghanistan are a fresh blow for the UK's aviation industry which has already been hit hard by the 11 September atrocities in the US.

There are fears that the downturn in passenger numbers after the attacks will be intensified now military action against the Taleban has started.

Airlines were badly affected during the Gulf War when passengers also stopped flying because of the terrorist threat.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1586189.stm


Airline industry analyst Terry Trippler of OneTravel.com, a travel specialty Web site, said the fact that airlines did not extend their Oct. 8 reduced-fare deadline was a good sign.

``That tells me they were happy with the response, that a lot of people booked (tickets),'' he said. ``Had they extended beyond Monday, then that would have said sales were soft.''

Trippler said international travel could possibly soften because of the U.S.-led bombing raids on Afghanistan, which is harboring the prime suspect in the September attacks, Osama bin Laden.

``I see a softening of international travel for a while but I don't think domestic travel will be affected,'' he said, adding that airlines were likely to introduce new incentives to boost international travel.

Analyst Kevin Murphy of Morgan Stanley said normal demand might not return to the industry until well into 2002.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/011009/n09536902_1.html



[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-09-2001).]

...Airline and airport managers are scrambling to keep up with evolving federal security directives that change with events or new intelligence. After the attacks, airlines that slashed schedules and laid off reservations agents when business died now find some flights overflowing and agents besieged.

People who booked non-stop Thanksgiving flights months ago are learning their airline no longer offers non-stops to their destinations. Passengers who set off the metal detector and are frisked at one airport, glide through security unquestioned at the next.

And while passengers may grumble about long lines and luggage searches, some airline workers suffer silently. Many pilots and flight attendants, for example, not only fear for their safety aloft but also for their job security. Airlines are cutting thousands of jobs to stem losses...

http://www.usatoday.com/money/bcovwed.htm

The Airline Business Presents Definite Challenges to Managers

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/11/business/11SCEN.html?ex=100 3464000&en=105ab7ed9bf634fc&ei=5040&partner=MOREOV ER

Airports Halt Expansion Plans

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2001Oct11.html

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-11-2001).]

Poll Suggests Women Are More Likely To Say They Are Frightened Of Flying Than Men

Women are now three times as likely as men to say they're afraid of flying in airplanes, according to an Associated Press poll that suggests the public's fear of flying is returning to close to what it was before the September 11 terrorist hijackings.

Six in 10 women said they are bothered now by flying, including just over a quarter, 27 percent, who said they are afraid, according to the poll, conducted for the AP by ICR of Media, Pa.

Only three in 10 men said they are bothered by flying; 10 percent said they are afraid.

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2001/10/1002884333.html



Some travelers are avoiding baseball caps, visits to McDonald’s

http://www.msnbc.com/news/640493.asp

The major airlines' trade group said that during the first week of October, air travel fell by more than a quarter compared with the same period in 2000, but was substantially higher than the previous week.

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/....ap/index.html

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-12-2001).]

Living With Fear

...No doubt there is more terror and sadness to come, for the city and the country as a whole. But there is also a sense of optimism, reflected in polls, that this insane threat will ultimately be defeated. Sadness is not a synonym for surrender.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/15/opinion/15HERB.html

The number of air travelers in the United States declined 34.2 percent last month and the September 11 attacks are to blame, an airline industry trade group reported Monday.

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/...own/index.html

Well, this sounds like a huge number. But think about it. We didn't fly for three days after September 11, correct? So that's 10 percent right there. A 25 percent drop is still pretty dramatic, but not as big.

And I read that travel is picking up in October -- not back to the 2000 levels but those weren't going to be seen even without the attacks due to the slowing economy.

People who are afraid to fly shouldn't drive, either. Or walk across the street. Or eat steaks.

Faith in flying key to airlines' survival

Carriers must fill planes, or raise their fares, to meet expenses

http://www0.mercurycenter.com/partners/docs1/001796.htm

Hollywood Star Says Give Up Fear Of Travel

Hollywood star Michael Douglas says Americans should overcome their fear of travel in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Douglas had flown from New York to Scotland this week for the Dunhill Links pro-am golf tournament.

"We are all nervous but I think you have to live your life," Douglas told Scotland's STV television.

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2001/10/1003406864.html

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Randy's "Come Fly With Me Promo":

http://www.flyertalk.com/forumcgi/ubbmisc.cgi ?action=getannounce&ForumNumber=50&Start=2452200.9 9&End=2452216&Session=2452200.2059

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-18-2001).]

If he promises to send his wife along to keep everyone company and hold their hand if they get nervous, I'm sure you'll see a lot more people flying.

Hey, I got it. The "come fly with Catherine Zeta-Jones" promo.

Widow Takes Flight Against Fear

The pregnant widow of a passenger who fought back against hijackers on Sept. 11 boarded the same Newark-to-San Francisco flight Friday to make a statement against fear.

Lisa Beamer was flying on United's newly renamed Flight 81 from Newark International Airport, heading to San Francisco, to meet some of the business associates her husband was on his way to visit.

``I want to show people it's safe to get back on an airplane,'' Lisa Beamer said shortly before she boarded. ``We can't let ourselves be held captive by terrorism.''

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...rchpv=aponline