"Half of US domestic passengers fly no frills"

Regional jet service is on the rise and low-cost carriers are now flying almost half of the US’s air passengers, reported the US Department of Transportation. The report noted that regional jet service grew by almost 140% in scheduled flight service between December of 2002 and December of last year, according to a United Press International story. Low-fare, regional and commuter airlines now account for 46% of all air service in the US, the report said. Southwest represents 37% of the total market growth in the past five years. But the report added the overall airline industry is in a state of recovery following a series of events that derailed the record-high number of commercial flights and passengers in January of 2000. Concerns about SARS and terrorists, and an economic downturn were among factors that has caused lingering problems for the airlines. The report also noted that for the first ten months of 2003, the number of scheduled flights was down 11% from the same period in 2000, and the number of available seats was down 13%.