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CNN Live Today

Bookings Down on 09/11

Aired August 01, 2002 - 12:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We're talking about September 11th. Are you going to fly, or are you not going to fly?

Con Hitchcock with Orbitz Travel is joining us to talk about this, and you were just saying, definitely, you've seen it a bit of a hit, not as many people are going to fly this year on September 11th.

CON HITCHCOCK, ORBITZ TRAVEL EXPERT: That's right. I mean, it's down about a third. And I think that's probably not surprising in terms of some of the concerns that people have. One thing, too, is that we have not had the president or other leaders suggest what would really be an appropriate way to mark this day. I know some schools and other places are already thinking of things like memorial services, moments of silence, that sort of thing. But it's a pretty significant anniversary, and I would not be surprised if people want to commemorate it, or observe it in some fashion other than getting on the road.

PHILLIPS: What exactly do you know? Jeff Flock mentioned a couple of airlines. But if you are a regular flyers on Delta or American, what can you say to us now that definitely these airlines are not going to have as many flights or go to certain areas?

HITCHCOCK: I'm not sure exactly which flights the airlines have in mind for being cut. What I would suspect you would see as a travelers if the airline has an 11:00 flight and the noon flight in the same destination, they may only have one of those, sort of shaving in that particular fashion. I think that the thing to do is check with the airline, you know, check with the travel agent, you know, check online to see what is available out there, and make plans appropriately. One thing, too, we are still about five or six weeks away.

Three quarters of all the reservations are made within a 5 or 6 week period before the flight, so it's still pretty early, so if you have to go, you know, you should have a pretty good idea what your options are by the time you need to book.

PHILLIPS: Have any of the government measures helped with regard to not having this -- folks not fearing flying very much. I mean, checkpoints -- more security the checkpoints are tighter?

HITCHCOCK: It is helping. Orbitz actually did a survey earlier this year that found that only about 4 percent of leisure travelers are staying away because of concerns of safety. And only 1 percent of leisure travelers are saying, I won't travel at all.

I think what is going on primarily in terms of why the airlines are hurting is the economy. Travel is one of the things that gets cut back during an economic slowdown, and particularly, business travelers. With the economy slow, there are fewer businesses that are willing to spend as much money on unrestricted walk-up fares as was the case a year, or 16 or 18 months ago.

So I think those were some the things that -- actually we took a look at this recently, the average fare on a particular flight over the past two months has gone down. From June 1st to July 30th, there is an average savings per flight at 6 or 7 percent. People are staying away, to some extent, and airlines are trying aggressively to lure people back on planes.

PHILLIPS: So we do have some deals ahead. Con Hitchcock, whether we fly or not, it's going to be a tough day for all of us.

HITCHCOCK: It is indeed.

Thanks, Con.

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