Airline Pilot Central Forums - milk up 133%-travel only 45%-interesting

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/edi...in_air_travel/

Safety, affordability in air travel
May 12, 2007

ROBERT KUTTNER'S May 4 op-ed, "Chaos in the skies," failed to recognize that travelers continue to benefit from the intense competition unleashed by airline deregulation. Since 1978, domestic airfares have risen just 45 percent, while the price of milk has risen 133 percent, a single-family home 326 percent, new vehicles 339 percent, prescription drugs 467 percent, and public college tuition 698 percent.

The price of jet fuel surged 162 percent from 2001 to 2006, placing undue cost pressures on our nation's carriers. Post-9/11 security mandates have added costs and changed the customer airport experience forever. Meanwhile, airlines have invested millions in information technology to give customers more control of their itineraries, and they have initiated, accelerated, or expanded orders for customer-friendly fuel-efficient aircraft.

Airlines today are focused on safe, secure, affordable travel and continue to look for economically feasible ways to improve service.

JOHN HEIMLICH
Chief economist
Air Transport Association of America
Washington

© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.