A discussion about the airline industry, airline employees, and all things related

The counting down to the number 1 aviation story of the year continues with number 5. 

#5:  Oil Prices.

Oil prices hit an all time high this summer topping US$72 a barrel.  That meant that aviation fuel sky rocketed too.  This hurt a lot of airlines that were on the cusp.  Southwest Airlines beat the street by hedging their fuel prices years ago and it helped them out this year.  While the industry was paying 50-60-70 dollars a barrel, SWA had a 36 dollar a barrel price locked in.  A lot of airlines got burnt as prices continued to climb, and in turn so did seat ticket prices.  Passengers suffered on this one too.

#4:  Thwarted Terrorist Attacks.  

This thwarted attack helped slow travel across the pond between the UK and the US, helped enact liquid bans on airlines and our current 3-1-1 rule is a result of this plot.  After that plot a few airlines suffered lower numbers and lower revenue but airline travel across the Atlantic is extremely strong.  In fact, business travel is stronger than ever as can be seen by the three new airlines and the fourth on the way offering business travel only planes.  The UK and American traveler is resilient.