As swine flu spreads, travel industry reels

May 01, 2009|Naomi Kooker and Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff

Joe Deblois and Kathleen Crowley were really looking forward to their beach wedding in Tulum, Mexico, on May 14. That is, until the Haverhill couple called their 27 guests and found that many were uncomfortable traveling to Mexico during the swine flu outbreak.

The couple was able to relocate the nuptials to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on the same date, though Deblois laments that the Mexican beach "is supposed to be one of the nicest beaches in the world."

As the number of cases of swine flu grows, panic is spreading among some travelers. Vice President Biden told NBC's "Today" show yesterday that he would tell his family not to go "anywhere in confined places now," including planes. And airlines, tour companies, and cruise lines are halting flights, changing itineraries and ports of call, slashing fares, or loosening penalties as more travelers cancel or postpone trips.

If the virus continues to spread, analysts say, the outbreak could have negative long-term effects on the US travel industry. They say the airline industry has not been able to recover from a series of setbacks that have hurt travel, including the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, in 2003; fuel price spikes last year; and the current recession.

"This is an industry that can't catch a break," said Terry Trippler, an airline consultant. "The airlines are just getting some legs under them, looking like they are going to have a good summer and then this hits. The long-term effect depends on how quickly this is brought under control."

The outcome for the industry could also depend on how fearful travelers are.

In an attempt to calm concerns, James C. May, chief executive of the Air Transport Association of America, a trade group, quickly responded yesterday to the comments made by Biden, who is known for making off-the-cuff remarks, by calling them "extremely disappointing."

"The airlines have been working daily with government agencies, none of whom suggest people avoid air travel, unless they are not feeling well," he said. "The fact is that the air on board a commercial aircraft is cleaner than that in most public buildings."

Still, several major carriers have loosened cancellation restrictions. And a spokeswoman for Continental Airlines, Julie King, said trimming flight schedules would not be out of the question for the airline, which is the US industry leader in flights to Mexico. American Airlines and US Airways are second and third, respectively.