"Customer-hostile†US airlines plead for help
A dozen US airline executives sent out an open letter that at least one travel commentator, Chris Elliott, called “Whiny.†He said “no one plays the blame game better than our coddled, over subsidized domestic carriers.â€
The executive’s letter essentially blamed oil speculators for the problem.
“Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab,†said the letter.
“Over seventy years ago, Congress established regulations to control excessive, largely unchecked market speculation and manipulation. However, over the past two decades, these regulatory limits have been weakened or removed. We believe that restoring and enforcing these limits, along with several other modest measures, will provide more disclosure, transparency and sound market oversight,†the letter said in calling for individuals to contact Congress by visiting www.StopOilSpeculationNow.co.
Most observers say, however, that the speculative market plays only a tiny part of the overall cost of gas.
Mr Elliott’s response is that he thinks the airline industry’s “flippant, customer-hostile attitude†needs adjusting.
“The only change can come from a serious, deep grassroots movement among voters. I think we’re about to get one,†he concludes.
A Report by David Wilkening
John Alwyn-Jones
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