Summers are usually a boom time for airlines. This year could change that. Airlines began the year projecting strong growth. But since then, one issue after another has cut into passenger demand.
Air traffic control problems are causing flight delays and cancellations, feeding into traveller worries over safety that began in January with the worst US air crash in decades. A global trade war and other economic concerns are driving down the value of the dollar, making overseas travel more expensive for Americans.
Meanwhile, foreign travellers are staying away either in protest over actions by the Trump administration or due to immigration concerns. There are also new security rules requiring airlines passengers upgrade to a “Real ID” to get through TSA checkpoints, which could keep some passengers from flying.
– CNN
