U.S. travelers face fewer flights

WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- Flight service across the United States is in a decline as airlines reduced the number of flights in reaction to rising fuel costs, a government report said.

Jet fuel costs have risen 84.5 percent in the last 12 months, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

In response, New Haven, Conn.; Wilmington, Del.; Boulder City, Nev.; and more than 25 other smaller cities have been dropped from airlines' flight plans in the past year.

More than 400 airports have experienced flight reductions, while scheduled flights are down 3 percent -- a loss off 22,900 domestic flights annually -- the Official Airline Guide said.

In addition, the economy is forcing travelers to cut back on travel plans. The Air Transport Association estimated 211.5 million passengers will book a commercial flight between June 1 and Aug. 31, about 2 million less than a year ago, the Times reported.