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Home » News » The Airline Industry Is In “Good” Shape? What Shape Is That?
News

The Airline Industry Is In “Good” Shape? What Shape Is That?

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 14, 2020November 14, 2023 15 Comments

a man in a suit and tie talking on a phone

With bookings down 98%, planes still flying empty, and most of the world off-limits, to say that airlines are struggling is an understatement. Buoyed temporarily by taxpayer dollars, airlines groan on, but safe and healthy? Not a chance.

President Donald J. Trump was asked during a meeting with governors yesterday if the American public is confident to travel on U.S. airlines. Trump responded:

“They have great confidence, and they have great confidence in us, and they have great confidence in the airlines. We saved the airlines with $25 billion and another $25 billion. We have airlines that are now in good shape. I mean, obviously they are going to pick up with the fares and with the seats. But the airline industry is in good shape. We’ve been able to save the airline industry, which would have been devastating if that happened. So, they’re in good shape.”

Trump: “The airline industry is in good shape.” (Bookings are down 98 percent from last year so, no, it’s not) https://t.co/O1CIdssCrL) pic.twitter.com/vTYiP5sLiQ

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 13, 2020

It’s an election year and of course any sitting president standing for re-election is going to try to put a positive spin on situations. But good shape? What shape is that?

Last week at a town hall meeting on Fox News, Trump noted one potential upside to the lockdown:

“People are now staying in the United States, spending their money in the U.S. and I like that. I’ve been after that for a long time. You know that. I’ve been saying let’s stay in the U.S., spend your money here and they’re doing that. They are sort of forced to do that. We met with the airline companies yesterday and they are doing a fantastic job. And they are just not flying to areas that have a big problem. So, it’s going to all work out. Everyone has to be calm. It’s all going to work out.”

And yes, domestic travel will pick up this summer and could be a boom for several industries in the U.S.

But airlines?

Airlines are in the fight for their lives right now. Most Americans are still afraid to fly. Travel is picking up slowly, but still down over 90%, far worse than the 9/11 aftermath.

This is not the time for a victory lap. Rather, this is a time to keep working on smart, practical, sensible, and safe policies to promote public health while avoiding economic suicide.

image: White House

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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15 Comments

  1. Zorgen Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 9:21 am

    Would be interesting to see “counterpoint” by Kyle.

    • Former UA1K Reply
      May 14, 2020 at 9:47 am

      Trust me, Kyle never lost in any debate and he never will 🙂

  2. Paolo Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    A boom in domestic tourism? Where does he think the money will come from? 25% unemployment, those with jobs will be very reluctant to spend more than necessary. While no doubt some $$$ will be spent domestically that might otherwise have gone offshore, I just don’t see the V recovery that would result in a boom.
    The guy is nuts…

  3. Joe Smith Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 12:18 pm

    Matthew, please stay out of politics. That is not what this site is for.

    A president’s job is to be optimistic. Is Trump being somewhat unrealistic? Sure, but again, his job is to put on a good face for the economy and its future prospects.

    • Matthew Reply
      May 14, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      I write about airlines. Sometimes that crosses into political zones. I don’t write about politics unless it is related to travel.

    • Adams9802 Reply
      May 14, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      It is not the presidents job to be optimistic. It’s to deal with problems Honestly and with good judgement. Unfortunately those are qualities that have evaded him his entire life. Airlines will go bust and the whole time Trump will be up there yammering in about how he’s doing such a great job.

    • Johannes Reply
      May 15, 2020 at 1:59 am

      The authors can write about whatever they please, even when the subject happens to cross with politics. If that bothers you, why the heck did you click on this post? And then write more political commentary to defend the president’s ridiculous position? Get outta here!

  4. WR2 Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    He’s obviously talking about their risk of bankruptcy. I’m sure you knew that. Only someone with an axe to grind would think he’s saying that it’s all happy times right for airlines now. Can you write something of substance instead of these political hit pieces that have sadly recently become more frequent? It’s hard for me to even bring myself to read your blog lately. This article read like it was written by your favorite low IQ leftist debit.

    • UA-NYC Reply
      May 14, 2020 at 1:49 pm

      Head back to a Reddit thread on QAnon or the Deep State if you don’t like the content here

    • 747always Reply
      May 15, 2020 at 6:02 am

      Always the Trumpettes who whine when their Fuhrer is called out on his bs.
      TDS definition : the derangement caused in those who blindly follow an incompetent president who they want to become Fuhrer for life

  5. GLee2112 Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    Good article. Just another example of how this orange idiot’s leadership has failed our country.

  6. Matthew Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    I don’t get it. I express reservations about COVID-19 restrictions and I get labelled a Trumpist. I call out what can only be described as an objectively false statement and am called a left wing shill.

    Oh yeah, the internet…

  7. Sean M. Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Trapezoid.

    That’s a good shape.

  8. Jay Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Please leave politics out of your blog. My butt hurts when you criticize Trump. Thank you.

  9. Hunterlas Reply
    May 14, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    Americans may be staying home and spending more money at home, but foreigners are not coming here and spending their money here. He’s leaving out that huge incredibly important piece of information…

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