Airlines cut small jets as fuel prices soar-leaving some little cities with fewer flights (or none)

[The Straight Story]

Airlines cut small jets as fuel prices soar

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The little planes that connect America’s small cities to the rest of the world are slowly being phased out.

Airlines are getting rid of these planes — their least-efficient — in response to the high cost of fuel. Delta, United Continental, and other big airlines are expected to park, scrap or sell hundreds of jets with 50 seats or fewer in coming years. Small propeller planes are meeting the same fate.

The loss of those planes is leaving some little cities with fewer flights or no flights at all.

The Airports Council International says 27 small airports in the continental U.S., including St. Cloud, Minn., and Oxnard, Calif., have lost service from well-known commercial airlines over the last two years. More shutdowns are planned.

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/11/25/airlines-cut-small-jets-as-fuel-prices-soar/