During the holiday season thousands of people travel all over the world to get home to family and friends. One of the most popular and easiest modes of transportation during this time is traveling by airplane.
Unfortunately, this time around the prices of the airline tickets are going up; the same thing occurred mid-year in 2008. What seems to be causing this big rise in prices is that fact that fuel prices are skyrocketing and airlines are possibly going bankrupt again.
“I really can’t afford to spend a lot on a ticket. It’s nice to travel during my holidays, but I won’t be able to buy an expensive ticket and still have spending money during my trip,” said sophomore Delisa Washington.
Airlines have recently reduced the number of seats they have open for purchase and that is set at a record number. Even though the airplane isn’t full, the prices are still high and continue to stay this way.
I remember taking a few flights this summer that were nearly empty, but my tickets were nowhere near cheap. At this point airlines can’t afford for fuel prices to go up and they especially cannot handle another event like 9/11, or bankruptcy will possibly be the next step.
Not only are these costs affecting the general public, but the prices are also affecting the airlines. Since 9/11, a few big airlines like Delta, United and Northwest have filed bankruptcy.
Fuel has really had an impact on these companies and seems to be driving a lot of them into the ground. Airlines seem to be doing worse because of the fuel problem and how people are responding to the situation. According to Delta CEO Richard Anderson, airlines are having to cut back on a lot of things simply so they can just keep up with what is occurring.
Especially with the way the economy is now, it is very difficult for people to keep up with the rising prices. With this, fewer airline tickets are being sold which greatly affects the company.
Also, the fact that a lot of airplanes are constantly being pulled for safety inspections has affected the airlines. For people, this is obviously a very safe procedure, but for airlines it is taking away money. Less airplanes, means less people to buy tickets, which means no money.
By time this year is over, it is possible that some of the popular airlines that we all know may disappear. A lot of the bigger airlines will most likely survive, but if there is no significant turn-around the smaller ones may have to file bankruptcy or just disappear all together.
Imagine all the people and students on this campus that this will affect. I myself am an out-of-state student and I try to fly home for all of the big holidays. It’s hard enough dealing with the high tuition, but now I’ll have to keep up with the high airline prices as well.
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