U.S. airlines experience a slowdown

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Higher airfares and a slowing U.S. economy has kept some Americans from flying this summer, analysts say.

The seven largest U.S. airlines boarded 3.5 million fewer passengers during June and July, compared with the same period last year, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported Sunday.

Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com, a Dallas firm that tracks airline ticket prices, said there have been 30 fare increases over the past year.

"People, particularly leisure travelers, are changing their behavior," he told the newspaper.

Some experts say already declining passenger numbers suggests that airlines may be losing their ability to raise their fares any higher.

"I think we may already be seeing that," Seaney said, noting that there hasn't been a significant price increase for more than a month.

Seaney said an increase in flight delays and cancellations has also taken a toll on the airline industry.

"Hardly anyone wants to travel anymore, which is understandable when you have a 1 in 3 chance of being stranded," he said. "It's just not much fun."