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
Would be interesting to see “counterpoint” by Kyle.
Trust me, Kyle never lost in any debate and he never will 🙂
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…
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.
I write about airlines. Sometimes that crosses into political zones. I don’t write about politics unless it is related to travel.
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.
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!
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.
Head back to a Reddit thread on QAnon or the Deep State if you don’t like the content here
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
Good article. Just another example of how this orange idiot’s leadership has failed our country.
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…
Trapezoid.
That’s a good shape.
Please leave politics out of your blog. My butt hurts when you criticize Trump. Thank you.
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…