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E L L I O T T' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

March 26, 2004

Air Travel Finally Rebounds
Passenger traffic aboard struggling network U.S. airlines is expected to grow this year for the first time since 2000, according to government data released on Thursday. The projection was included in the Federal Aviation Administration's annual industry forecast that estimated growth in 2004 of more than 4 percent to 686 million passengers, for all flights aboard U.S. carriers. This includes the biggest airlines and their regional affiliates as well as low-cost carriers. The agency's economic and other industry financial experts also expect that by 2005, the number of passengers on flights aboard U.S. airlines will reach levels not seen since before 2001. Reuters | Posted 6 a.m.
-- AFP: Two-year airline crisis is over, government says
-- WESH: Air travelers are "back in droves"

• Good news? It is if you're a low-cost airline. It is if you're a passenger. It isn't if you're a high-cost airline. Send us your comments.

Southwest Closing in On US Airways
A day after US Airways CEO David Siegel called Southwest Airlines "the enemy," Southwest said it would double the number of flights it plans at Philadelphia International Airport, a major US Airways hub. Southwest also announced plans for more service at Baltimore Washington International. Southwest is scheduled to begin service in May at Philadelphia with 14 daily flights. Chairman Herb Kelleher, speaking at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Thursday, announced plans for an additional 14 Philadelphia-based flights starting in July, bringing to 28 dailies it will operate out of Philadelphia by this summer. Business Journal | Posted 6:20 a.m.
-- Brancatelli: Death by video at US Airways

Americans Skipping Summer Vacation
Record high gasoline prices and the nation's lingering economic woes may be bad news for the Florida tourist industry and keep Americans home this summer, according to new survey. According to the national debt counseling company, 64 percent of clients in 42 states say they would continue to pay down their debt rather than spend toward vacation. The average U.S. credit card debt is now $9,205, according to A Better Way. When asked what their financial priorities are, those surveyed said almost equally that continuing to pay off their debt and paying ongoing monthly bills outweighed any other priorities. "While that may not be welcome news to the travel and hospitality industry, that is sound financial planning," says Jack Marcus, president of A Better Way. Orlando Business Journal | Posted 6:30 a.m.

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• And finally ... from the Online News Association newsletter, I leave you this week with the following posting: "USAToday.com seeks an experienced editor to lead its successful travel Web site, USAToday.com Travel, to the next stage of development." What happened to the last travel editor, under whose regime I was ousted as an opinion columnist? No clue, but I wish him well wherever he is. Posted 6:40 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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