PEOPLE AREN’T FLYING! You can thank the TSA. I used to fly 3-4 times a year. Cross country flights were $99. Gasoline costs twice as much under the Great One. Business? Try videoconferencing. That one I’m ok with. Gov’ment is the turd in the punch bowl.
I can’t think of many things I enjoy less than going to an airport and getting on an airplane....unless it’s having to transfer to another airplane!!! Use to be a very pleasurable experience!!!
Passenger miles in billions by year.
2000: 500
2001: 472
2002: 469 Both 01 and 02 were pretty obviously impacted by 9/11.
2003: 493
2004: 543
2005: 569
2006: 575
2007: 592
2008: 568
2009: 539
2010: 552
2011: 564
2012: 569
2013: 484 (thru October only) Probably around 575 or 580 for the year.
It seems pretty clear that the primary factor affecting air travel miles is the general economy.
Gasoline costs twice as much under the Great One.
Over the eight years of the Bush administration, gas averaged $2.43. During the five years so far of the Obama administration, it's averaged $3.18. That's an increase of 31%, not 100%.