Sky Talk

Fewer Americans will travel by air this holiday season

About 41 million passengers are expected to take a flight this holiday season, which is down 2.5 percent from last year.

According to the Air Transport Association of America, the decline is attributed to the economic recession. The industry trade group defines the holiday travel season as the 21-day span between Dec. 17 and Jan. 6.

"We are continuing to see fewer air travelers over the holidays, a trend that has been apparent throughout 2009," said ATA chief executive James May. "Capacity reductions will likely mean fuller flights on many days."

The three busiest travel days are expected to be Sunday, Dec.28, Monday, Dec. 28, and Tuesday, Dec. 29, the group said. Last year, an estimated 42 million passengers traveled during the same holiday time period.

-Andrea Ahles

Airlines slam oil speculators

The Air Transport Association fired off a statement that "speculators are back and prices are up" given Monday's jump in oil prices.

The airline industry group has been waging a campaign against energy speculating for months now, alleging that rampant speculation is pushing up jet fuel prices to record levels.

"Although ATA recognizes the impact of the financial crisis on Wall Street, the weak dollar and the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the unprecedented 16 percent jump over the weekend – from $104.55 per barrel last Friday to $120.92 per barrel today – also reflects the impact of excessive energy speculation," the group said.

- Trebor Banstetter

United sues union, pilots

United Airlines filed for an injunction Wednesday again the Air Line Pilots Association and four of its pilots over an alleged illegal sickout. The airline asked a Chicago court for an injunction to halt any organized abuse of sick time, according to Aviation Week.

- Trebor Banstetter

Airlines ask Congress to rein in energy speculation

The Air Transport Association, an airline industry trade group, testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry and Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (whew).

The group's chief executive, James May, called for more oversight of commodities trading to curtail excessive oil speculation, which many believe is a factor in this year's unprecedented spike in fuel prices.

"The impact of these unprecedented jet fuel prices on the airlines is devastating and airlines may see 2008 losses nearing $10 billion, on par with the worst financial year in aviation history," May said. "This year, airlines will spend more than $61 billion on fuel, slightly more than the total fuel bill combined for the first four years of this decade."

- Trebor Banstetter

Airline industry rallies for upgraded air traffic control

Industry trade group the Air Transport Association is holding a rally today in Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to modernize the air traffic control system. The group is also pushing lawmakers to "change the funding structure so that all users pay their fair share."

Translation: We want airlines to pay less and private plane owners to pay more.

The rally will feature "Edna," a character the group has been using in online commercials to push for their cause. You can check her out here. It's also interesting to check out the viewer comments on the video - there's quite a heated debate going on.

- Trebor

Senators no longer allowed to double-book flights

The Air Transport Association has ruled that airlines can no longer allow U.S. senators to double and triple-book flights, saying the old practice violates new ethics rules against accepting gifts, the Seattle Times reports. Airlines have long allowed senators to hold more than one flight, because of the unpredictability of Congress' schedule. But the ATA says that's no longer acceptable, because the airlines don't offer the same service to other passengers.

-- Scott