[Alberta's Child]

Maybe you're right. But let's face it -- the airline industry is very labor-intensive, requires an enormous amount of capital, and doesn't respond very well to market changes.

And the fact that it relies heavily on outside financing even in good times (I don't know of any airports or air terminals that are owned by airlines) means that many of the "costs" of operating an airline aren't even paid by the airline.

[Don Corleone]

And the fact that it relies heavily on outside financing even in good times (I don't know of any airports or air terminals that are owned by airlines) means that many of the "costs" of operating an airline aren't even paid by the airline.

I'll bet that you also believe in a "Free Lunch". All those facilities are paid for by YOU the traveller out of your ticket price. They are called user fees, landing fees etc.