Two factors mean the end of air travel as we know it

[jpak]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=4da2acd1-aa12-4d22-adf9-4e611a93a258

In crafting policy around air travel, governments both here abroad are flying by the seat of their pants.

The world is starting to be affected by the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil, but many involved in transportation planning are looking the other way.

In fact, it's easy to believe air travel will keep on expanding, given all the jam-packed airplanes, delayed flights and crowded airports. But cracks are appearing.

In the first two weeks of April, the following airlines went belly up or sought bankruptcy protection: Aloha Airlines; Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, ATA, Skybus, Frontier Airlines and Champion Air.

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[madokie]

1. sooner or later only a couple companies will be left

Then it will get interesting. I am just glad that flying commercially is not something I'm likely to have to do anymore.

[brystheguy]

2. Only 25 airports left globally by 2025!!

That is an amazing prediction. I've always wondered about that quote towards the end of "A Crude Awakening" where the guy asks if his grandson will ever fly in an airplane. I guess not. We actually took our kids on their first plane ride this last summer to at least experience it once.

So, if there are only 25 airports globally, I wonder which ones they will be? How "right" do you think this prediction is?

[diane in sf]

3. I am hoping to ride in blimps one day and enjoy a more leisurely European

working schedule so I can enjoy the process. But hey, trains might do it.

[trof]

4. Somebody wrote about airline deregulation in the 70s.

You can read about The Airline Deregulation Act at Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline_Deregulation_Act

At the time I remember reading what has become a very accurate prediction by an airline analyst (I think).

He said at first we'd be flooded with new 'start-up' cut-rate airlines. But the competition would eventually be so fierce that many would fold or be absorbed by existing airlines.

What would follow would be a years long period of jockeying for position/market share, more mergers, until the survivors would be 2 or 3 mega carriers.
Pretty much dead on, on all counts.

Of course he couldn't predict the high cost of fuel back then, which has only served to accelerate the process.