Airline Route Cuts Hurt Small Cities

[dbaker]

Airline Route Cuts Hurt Small Cities
Airline Route Cuts Since Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks Hurting Small Cities the Most

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sharp reductions in flights since the Sept. 11 attacks have hit hardest in small cities like Eugene, Ore., where residents and business executives often have to use Portland's airport 120 miles away.


With billions of dollars in losses and fewer passengers to carry, airlines have cut hundreds of flights in the past three months, eliminating 116 routes altogether.

The cuts have fallen disproportionately on small cities, even though the airline bailout enacted by Congress after Sept. 11 required that the airlines continue to provide adequate service.

``It's very inconvenient and potentially will have a detrimental impact,'' said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.

While more people are returning to the air, airlines still are carrying fewer passengers than last year. Over Christmas, 20 percent fewer people are expected to go by plane, train or bus compared with 2000, the American Automobile Association said.

[dbaker]

Airline Route Cuts Hurt Small Cities
Airline Route Cuts Since Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks Hurting Small Cities the Most

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sharp reductions in flights since the Sept. 11 attacks have hit hardest in small cities like Eugene, Ore., where residents and business executives often have to use Portland's airport 120 miles away.


With billions of dollars in losses and fewer passengers to carry, airlines have cut hundreds of flights in the past three months, eliminating 116 routes altogether.

The cuts have fallen disproportionately on small cities, even though the airline bailout enacted by Congress after Sept. 11 required that the airlines continue to provide adequate service.

``It's very inconvenient and potentially will have a detrimental impact,'' said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.

While more people are returning to the air, airlines still are carrying fewer passengers than last year. Over Christmas, 20 percent fewer people are expected to go by plane, train or bus compared with 2000, the American Automobile Association said.