STRUGGLING airlines are set
for a future of massive discounting as they try to woo back passengers.
Aviation experts predict many big-name carriers will be
forced into a battle with their no-frills rivals if they are to survive the
expected downturn in bookings worldwide.
“This is a desperate
situation for airlines and the rest of the aviation industry, where profit
margins are already very tight,” said Kieran Daly, editor of Air Transport
Intelligence.
“We are likely to see mainline carriers trying to match
fares of low-cost airlines. It will be interesting to see how the no-frills
operators cope in their first recession.”