September 2010

Six years of traffic growth came to an end in 2009. Growth resumed this year, but it is uneven. Arthur D. Little and ATW present the fourth annual World Airport Report.

The dramatic exit of a JetBlue Airways flight attendant from his aircraft via an emergency slide after unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade over the intercom, allegedly after an encounter with a badly behaving passenger (see Odds & Ends, p. 88), says much more about the breakdown of civility and self-control in 21st century America than it does about flight attendants or airline passengers.

The US passenger airline industry returned to profit in the second quarter but a slowing economy is cause for concern.

Airport privatization has resulted in rising charges and declining service levels say critics. But that view is hardly unanimous.

Alaska Airlines has flown through the downturn guided by the principals of Alaska 2010 and is looking at bright skies ahead.

Commercial considerations are driving a new round of consolidation among the country’s airlines.

Airlines need to pay more attention to the cost and risks of foreign object
damage.

New appointments

Includes:

• World airline traffic
• Top 20 airlines system traffic
• Jet fuel prices
• Exchange rates

Includes:

• World Airline Traffic
• World Airport Traffic
• IATA Fuel Prices
• Aircraft Data
• Aircraft Values
• Aircraft Deliveries
• US Major and National Airline Traffic
• US Ontime Performance
• U.S. Fuel Cost and Consumption
• US Mishandled Baggage
• US Consumer Complaints