Although we are currently in a bit of a pickle in the airline industry, fuel prices are finally starting to come down and while the airlines of the world are not out of the woods yet, things are looking slightly better than they were a few months ago.
Still, there is another issue, the airlines need more fuel efficient aircraft to compete and save fuel, even with the jet fuel prices on the temporary chill (OPEC is planning an Emergency Meeting).
Now the most efficient airliner ever created by mankind is being delayed due to a huge labor dispute at the Boeing Company.
Not only is this a huge issue for the airlines, it will too affect airline travelers, because airlines which do not have efficient aircraft cannot remain economically viable or turn a profit during a global economic slowdown.
  And with credit markets tight, money will be even tighter for those airlines that are not turning a profit or on the verge of bankruptcy.
It is a catch-22 for them now.
If they do not get more efficient aircraft now, they will continue to lose money and without making money, they cannot get the financing they need to buy the new aircraft when they come available or borrow money to stay in business and meet their costs until things return to normalcy.
  The Boeing Company Airline Manufacturing division is losing airliner sales to their European Union competitor, while the labor union is destroying the company from within and damaging countless airlines around the World, Boeing customers.