Editor: Naples Daily News

A recent article in your business section talked about American Airlines decision to increase ticket prices because of higher fuel costs.  However, American decided against the increase because some of its competitors were not in favor of it.

It seems that the airline industry, who since 9/11 are bleeding red ink and now confronted with higher fuel prices, simply refuse to raise fares to offset increased operating costs.  I don’t know of any industry that doesn’t pass on its higher costs to consumers except of course the airline industry.  Instead the airlines asks its employees for more concessions.

If that weren’t bad enough now airlines like United are deferring pension payments to employee pension funds. 

I have come to the conclusion that airline senior executives really don’t have a clue on how to operate a business. Instead of banding together to raise prices in the face of higher costs they decide to introduce sale fares for the Fall which is great for the consumer. Airlines may need some form of regulation again if any of them intend to survive.  The present performance of the major airlines and some of the regional carriers as well clearly indicates that change in this industry is sorely needed.

Tony Gattone

Naples

Tony Gattone is a former director of marketing for UAL.  He is the one that set up our operations in China.  Tony is an old friend.  We email each other frequently and he is checking our website from time to time.  These comments were in a letter to the editor to his local newspaper.  Tony had a 40 year career with UAL.  His insights are always worth listening to.  Ed Dechant