Why Airline Industry is on Passengers' Radar

There have been a lot of headlines flying around lately about the airline industry. These are a few of the headlines just the last couple of days.

FAA lifts one hour ground stop at Alaska Airlines after a system problem is resolved.

Whistleblower says Boeing should stop production of 787 Dreamliner due to safety issue.

American Airlines pilots union says there has been a significant spike in safety related issues.

And there was a headline this week that read:  U.S. Consumers sue to stop Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airliners merger over worries about competition and prices.

Those who don’t like to fly might say these headlines will just convince them even more. Sure there were some delays due to the Alaska Airlines ground stop but most passengers took it in stride.

With flying still the safest form of transportation by a very wide margin, and with most recent incidents being relatively minor when it comes to an plane’s operation. these kinds of headlines won’t make any difference to the vast majority of airline passengers.

However it is good news that there are investigations and that problems are being raised so they can be addressed.

And that goes for any industry. And it should go for government as well.

(Photo Getty Images)