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CNN Live At Daybreak

Safer Skies: 2002 Safest Year for Commercial Air Travel

Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:43   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for a little business buzz right now. There is actually good news about the troubled airline industry for passengers.
Carrie Lee has more on that story.

Carrie, we want to know.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Carol, some good news here, finally.

The "Washington Post" reporting that the National Transportation Safety Board says that for the first time in 20 years there were no deaths on major commercial airlines in 2002. Now this is according to the "Washington Post," as I said. Out of 34 commercial airline accidents last year, most were minor.

And it's sort of an interesting twist here, the airlines have seen very hard times over the past couple of years. That's actually part of the reason for the safety improvements. The tough times have forced airlines to ground older planes and let go of less experienced pilots and mechanics. So only the most experienced people are staying here. Also technology, improved technology is helping this group. So, Carol, an unexpected bright spot in an otherwise rather troubled sector lately.

COSTELLO: And that is the brightest spot of all. Carrie Lee, many thanks, live from New York this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for a little business buzz right now. There is actually good news about the troubled airline industry for passengers.
Carrie Lee has more on that story.

Carrie, we want to know.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Carol, some good news here, finally.

The "Washington Post" reporting that the National Transportation Safety Board says that for the first time in 20 years there were no deaths on major commercial airlines in 2002. Now this is according to the "Washington Post," as I said. Out of 34 commercial airline accidents last year, most were minor.

And it's sort of an interesting twist here, the airlines have seen very hard times over the past couple of years. That's actually part of the reason for the safety improvements. The tough times have forced airlines to ground older planes and let go of less experienced pilots and mechanics. So only the most experienced people are staying here. Also technology, improved technology is helping this group. So, Carol, an unexpected bright spot in an otherwise rather troubled sector lately.

COSTELLO: And that is the brightest spot of all. Carrie Lee, many thanks, live from New York this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com