Air Canada Boeing 767-300
As a new year approaches, we say good bye to a hard year for the airline industry. Having to redefine itself with new fees, cut flights, and a few bankruptcies, we wonder what will 2009 bring the airline business?
Most economists think this recession will not be short-term. With people having less money, most likely that means they will have less trips and vacations. Companies will be looking at other non-flying meeting options and many government jobs have already put a freeze on non-essential travel.
Right now airlines are able to survive this recession because of the low price of oil. If airlines are able to cut costs, keep their fees, have low oil prices, and have the recession lift in 2009, it could be one of their best years. Of course, these are all a lot of “ifs” and already consumers are getting annoyed that fees are still up with oil prices down.
Another big obstacle that airlines might face are employee relations. As more and more airlines farm out their labor and force employees to re-negotiate their contracts — will more strikes loom and cause huge loses for airlines?
No matter what happens, I think the airline industry has proven itself and in one form or another it will not only survive, but thrive. We can only hope for the best!
Image: caribb
Go Airlines
Back in February two pilots of Go! Airlines Flight 1002 were accused of sleeping on the job. While flying. While missing the airport. While overshooting the airport by 30 miles. While air traffic control was trying to make contact with them for about 25 minutes. Not a good thing, at all.
The pilots have now admitted (after trying to cover it up) that they both fell asleep in the cockpit while autopilot was on. The pilot stated, “The warm Hawaiian sun was blaring in as we went eastbound. I just kind of closed my eyes for a minute, enjoying the sunshine, and dozed off,” he told investigators.
It is scary to think that one of the two pilots could fall asleep, but extremely scary to think that both could fall asleep. Well, at least they set the auto pilot before dozing off!
- Finnair With Santa on the Side
Hope those of you stuck in an airport over the holidays the best of luck with getting to your loved ones or back home soon! And of course a Happy Holidays to everyone else not stuck at an airport :).
NY Stock Exchange
I have avoided making blogs about the poor economy and how poorly the airlines have been doing since I didn’t want to repeat myself. But there is some good economic news for the airlines (well some airlines) and why not have some positive things to share during this time of year?!
AIRLINE STOCKS ARE GOING UP!
The AP is reporting that with oil prices going down, airline stocks keep going up. Even Southwest whose fuel hedging has been hurting them a bit, is doing some airplane selling and re-leasing magic and their stocks went up as well!
Souce: AP via Forbes Image:Helico
Plane being de-iced
Alaska Airlines is having a great (sarcasm) season so far. First there were a bunch of cancelled flights (that is understandable since well, they are HQ in Seattle, WA which has been hit by a crazy snow storm). Now they de-iced a bunch of people inside the plane.
Alaska Airlines flight 528, on its way to Burbank this morning was getting de-iced when people were realizing it was getting into the cabin. Six crew members were taken to the hospital, but all 26 passengers were given the thumbs up at the airport.
A commenter on the story on KOMO (rwgav8) stated, “The ramp agent more than likely shot the de-icer into one of the engines or the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) inlet.”
Not a great way to start Christmas for sure!
Source: KOMO Image: Nealy-J