Sunday 5 June 2022 04:19 PM Travel chaos to continue all SUMMER due to a 'perfect storm' of increased ... trends now
As thousands prepare to travel restriction-free for the first time since the pandemic, experts warn the stunted industry cannot support the skyrocketing demand for travel.
After more than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the United States were nixed over Memorial Day weekend, airlines are predicting similar trends throughout the summer.
Citing pandemic-related staffing shortages, some of the nation's largest air carriers are slashing their summer schedules in an effort to 'minimize disruptions.'
Delta Airlines has vowed to cut its service by about 100 flights per day from July 1 to August 7. Both JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have reduced their schedules by 10 and two percents, respectively.
Rental car agencies allege a 'carmageddon' is underway as prices for gas and car hires are reaching all-time highs.
Similarly, cruise lines, which were hard hit in the pandemic after some of the first COVID outbreaks were discovered aboard the large ships, are struggling to fill staterooms and retain staff.
As thousands prepare to travel restriction-free for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn the stunted industry cannot support the skyrocketing demand for travel. A long queue of Delta passengers are pictured at LAX airport in Los Angeles on May 28
Citing pandemic-related staffing shortages, some of the nation's largest air carriers are slashing their summer schedules in an effort to 'minimize disruptions.' American Airlines passengers are seen sleeping in an airport on Sunday after their flight was cancelled
Travelers first started reporting an influx of crowded airport queues, canceled flights and extended delays in early spring after nearly all pandemic restrictions, including mask mandates on airplanes, were lifted.
In April, when chaos first erupted, industry expert Christopher Elliott predicted the disruptions were a 'sign of things to come.' Now he's predicting the situation will only get worse.
'I hate it when I'm right,' he told CNN on Saturday. 'This is going pretty much like I thought it would... and I think it's going to get worse.'
'I think this is just the opening act for what will be a crazy summer. We still have high gas prices, we have record demand straining the entire system, we still have pilot shortages. Airlines haven't fully staffed up yet the way they needed to.'
The Federal Aviation Association says staffing issues and traffic volumes are causing many of the nation's largest airports to experience ground stops and delays, limiting takeoffs and landings.
In response, airlines have scrapped routes and reduce summer flight plans, as well as cut back on training requirements in an effort to get more pilots in the skies as quickly as possible.
Delta Airlines has vowed to cut its service by about 100 flights per day from July 1 to August 7. Both JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have reduced their schedules by 10% and 2%, respectively
A frustrated American Airlines passenger shared a picture of his flight cancellation notices to Twitter on Wednesday
The air carriers also allege they 'weren't given enough warning' for the increased travel demand, however industry experts remain skeptical of that defense.
'The main thing [causing disruption] is the staffing,' Which? Travel magazine editor Rory Boland told the news outlet. 'So then you go to, why were so many people let go during the pandemic?'
'The airlines' defense is that they weren't given enough warning about the restart of travel, and there's probably some fairness to that, but there are clearly some airlines and airports that were able to get their act together.'
Of those 'having a complete disaster,' Boland argued it would be impossible to reach adequate staffing levels as long as airports and airlines continue their 'relentless' cost-cutting practices.
He compared wages at various airports across the globe and alleged in some areas
