Airlines Raise Prices

Perhaps the biggest news in aviation last week slipped by with but little notice. It was the big story, front page and center of USA Today on Wednesday, April 12: "Airlines raise base fares sharply, still fill planes." Everybody shout Hallelujah! Why am I, a fellow who makes a living speaking at conventions, conferences, and other business meetings, happy to see airfares rise? Because it is so obvious that the airlines can't continue to lose money on every ticket but also stay in business. I need airlines as does the country so I want them to profit and prosper. Yes, the airlines are currently carrying more people more safely and for a lot less money. Many experts say we are now paying on average and after adjusting for inflation less for airfare than ever before in history and this in a time of exploding fuel prices. But it couldn't go on. Airlines have been losing great gobs of money almost faster than our national debt goes up. Something had to give. I, for one, was beginning to wonder just how long bankrupt airlines could keep maintaining the astonishing nearly perfect safety record. I don't know the answer, but I did think about it. If this is the beginning of a turnaround, please let it be noted and remembered that it was praise God from whom all blessings flow achieved by market forces, not by guvmint. We'd like to get your comments: Just click on the box at the top.