RW #1 - The Chief Executive of the Regional Aviation Association, Paul Tyrrell, says nationally small airlines are also being hit by rising fuel and maintenance costs, combined with increased safety regulations.
But is the downturn just more 'visible' in TAS? there are a lot of GA operators struggling to make ends meet. Sad to see.
AC #8 - FACT: There a lot better ways to spend your hard earned money than throwing it up against the aviation wall. And the youth of today are beginning to realise it. Like it or not, the aviation dream for the next generation is dead.
Just a stray thought: I wonder if it's dead or moved on to Micro soft world. For the non professional (and even for some) the flight simulator is in the shed. In seconds, you can fly a Mallard up an Alaskan glacier, take your 738 through an ILS at LHR or, should the mood move you, a King Air to Kickatinalong. Cheap, easy, fun, have beer during, stop to watch the news, then when its all too hard; turn it off, up the stairs and cuddle up with Mum. Why would you want to leave the house to get a 'fix'. Just saying.