US Airports Facing Flight Cuts
US airports are facing fewer flights as airlines continue their cutbacks in the face of continuing global economic uncertainty.
The publication of airlines' winter schedules, which take effect from October, shows that some US airports will be losing at least 10% of their flights compared with 2007.
The flight schedule data in the OAG-Official Airline Guide shows that most major airlines are cutting flights in order to cope with rocketing costs, in part fuelled by high oil prices.
American Airlines, Delta, United and US Airways have all announced cuts in domestic flights of between 10% and 14%. Further cuts are expected for 2009.
US Airline Schedules
Airports significantly affected by the US airline cutbacks include Oakland, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Houston and Cleveland.
Domestic flights at Oakland for the winter schedule are down by 21.8%. There will be 15.7% fewer flights at Kansas City, and 15.6% less at Cincinnati. Houston will see 13.6% less, and Cleveland 13.3% fewer.
Larger airports are also being affected by the domestic flight cutbacks.
There will be 12.6% fewer flights at Orlando and Las Vegas, and 12.3% less at Chicago Midway.
Meanwhile, American has said it plans to cut 28 domestic flights from its Chicago O'Hare schedule from October, with its subsidiary American Eagle cutting another 34.
Oil Prices
The service cuts come as airlines try to manage rising costs across all aspects of operations, especially high oil prices.
Over 20 US airlines have gone out of business since the turn of the year, and last month industry body the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted that if high oil prices continued the global airline industry could make a loss of over $6 billion this year.
Source - Airport International's US Correspondent
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