US prepares for Sept 11 slowdown
US businesses are set to cutback on air travel on September 11, the anniversary of the terror attack on the Twin Towers in New York.
Many New York businesses are reporting their employees have put off any travel plans for that day.
“Some personnel do not want to fly. It is not out of fear, but out of respect,” said one east coast manager.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel asked its member agencies in July if they had any bookings for air travel on September 11.
Nearly half, 47%, said they had no bookings, 22% said customers were booking as normal, 15% said bookings were down and 16% said they weren’t sure.
American Airlines and United Airlines have both cut back their schedules for the day and Delta said it would cancel any flights where it sees weak demand between September 9 and 13. British Airways has cancelled 26 flights for September 11 plus one flight on September 10 and one on September 12.
Hotel industry observers said business was down for September 11, but added the early Jewish holy days were also a factor, as was the shaky US economy.
Hyatt Hotels vice-president of sales operations Fred Shea said: “People are very hesitant to travel because of the economy, so we think any downturn during the week of September 8 will likely be more economy than fear-related.”
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