Forget Storms, Security Hassles... The Forecasts Come True

After suffering one of the worst industry-wide slumps in memory, it appears commercial aviation is back in business.

OAG reports passenger traffic is up six percent at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson and up nine percent at Chicago's O'Hare.

That, of course, translates into a recovery in the aviation jobs market. As ANN reported over the weekend, total aviation hiring has rocketed past industry predictions, up almost 10 percent for the first half of 2004.

The upswing is also being tracked by the companies that take online reservations. "Most major airports are up to pre-9-11 levels," said Orbitz Director For Consumer Care Scott Ackerman, who was quoted by Reuters.

Now, instead of wondering how the heck they'll lure passengers to the gates, airlines, airports and security officials are wondering how they'll handle the traffic. Delays are reportedly up at several major airports.

That situation isn't being helped by the weather. Reuters quoted one anonymous flight crew member as saying weather problems are causing recurrent headaches at DFW, O'Hare and LaGuardia.

"They all do a great job with traffic management, however, Dallas/Fort Worth has been experiencing a lot of delays and angry passengers with all of the storms we've been having," he said. "Passengers have to understand that the weather is beyond our control and all airlines are affected at whatever airport is experiencing the weather."

Ackerman agrees. But after all, even the TSA doesn't control the weather.

FMI: www.oag.com