Quote:
Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger
And 100 years ago no one flew at all! It’s also totally irrelevant to the current crisis at Canadian airports and in the airline industry.
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Flying is cheaper because for decades airlines have been competing ruthlessly to cut costs and increase volume (while customers use online tools to chase the lowest fare). That model relies on large numbers of low-paid workers operating in busy airports that handle huge volumes of travellers.
Now we’re seeing the vulnerability of that model to labour shortages. Airlines and airports will likely have to improve compensation, and travellers will foot the bill with higher fares. Combine that with fuel taxes to combat global warming, and the era of widely affordable air travel may wind down after a 30 year run, rather than endure as a long-term norm.