Purdue News

June 10, 2003

Airlines need good summer season to take off

Summer vacation season traditionally brings a dramatic increase in the number of people flying. This year, however, aviation industry watchers are concerned that the bad economy, coupled with fear over terrorism and SARS, could keep more people at home or lead them to travel by alternate means.

Dale Oderman, an associate professor of aviation technology at Purdue University, can discuss airlines' financial dependence on the summer travel season, as well as other issues the airline industry faces.

"The airlines need a good travel season," Oderman said. "Most of the major airlines continue to be in poor financial health, and if there is no increase in travel this summer, the results could easily prolong an already slow recovery. At the moment, ticket sales are picking up, but it is important for that trend to sustain itself throughout the season."

CONTACT: Oderman, (765) 494-9567, doderman@purdue.edu