Listening to the recent aviation summit one would think that fuel was the airline industry’s only problem. While it may be the focus of much attention, Cyriel Kronenburg, assistant director airport & ATC charges North & South America, International Air Transport Association said government actions are conspiring to do more damage to the airline industry at a time when it can least afford it. He cited taxes, emissions trading and new experimental programs including congestion pricing and, most importantly, failure to modernize the air traffic control system.
Kronenburg laid out a compelling case that governments at state, federal and even local levels need to change their views of airlines from their personal ATM machines to a critical part of their economic infrastructure. For a complete report see the next issue of Regional Aviation News.
Reader Comments
1.
What are the keys to Southwest\'s success? Standardization of equipment; route structures with proven profitability; predictable fare structure; team management orientation (as distinguished from American\'s tyrannical rule for several years under Crandall)- and no toying with failures like Ted. Why can\'t our airlines get it straight? Why nickel and dime passengers to death? This is the time - NOW - to reinvent our industry. Let\'s look at what is successful and quick blaming the FAA and the dying presidential administration. Sick of hearing it. Can you really blame permitting slot auctions, trading environmental credits, congestion pricing (which is a dumb idea, granted)- and, worst of all, laying our future on development of NextGen (which is years away). The ATA and other organizations should be lobbying the President and Congress for release of fuel from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for our airlines, as they are CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE. Now, can we get it straight, or continue to look foolish and wasteful to the rest of the world?
Posted by Robert Lowery Hanks on Friday, August 15, 2008 @ 01:57 PM
2.
I wanted to also add my two cents in on the crazy idea of supplanting our carriers\' equipment with VLJs. Promoting boutique air travel is the nuttiest thing yet.
Posted by Robert Lowery Hanks on Friday, August 15, 2008 @ 01:59 PM
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