Watch for more reports of near collisions in the air and airline mergers, predicts the Air Travelers Association in naming its top trends and issues for the new year. The top ten shaped up this way:
1. The battle with the government over delayed flights versus high fares will continue.
2. The airline system will continue to operate at or near capacity.
3. The start of the next generation air traffic control system will again be delayed.
4. There will be more reports of near collisions in the air and on the ground.
5. The battle over a passenger’s bill of rights versus passenger rights to get to their destination will be ongoing.
6. Watch for domestic airlines to merge or accept foreign carrier investments.
7. Expect more regional jets in the future.
8. There will be continued service problems with airlines and labor unrest.
9. The Competition Between the Super-Jumbo Airbus A380 versus Super-Nonstop Boeing 787 will begin in 2009.
10. The Battle Between Residents on the ground over noise and airline passengers in the air will continue.
Report by David Wilkening
