The Airlines Crisis

Yesterday, Jet Blue announced that they would be imposing a fee for the first checked bag. This makes them one of the few remaining airlines to take this step.

With the mediocre service and the shrinking space provided, it is not entirely surprising that customers are less than amused. If gas prices have been decreasing for months, shouldn't airlines be saving enough money to provide customers with discounts?

The answer is mostly No.

Airlines such as Jet Blue have a lot of pressure from stockholders who want to see the revenues increase every quarter. This has been a daunting task for many airlines that offer international flights in countries with struggling economies.

Such is the case with pretty much every international airline in Venezuela. With the government's tight grip on the economy and the currency exchange, many airlines have had no option, but to cut down on flights while other airlines have closed their gates and left the country. The truth is that these airlines are not making much profit and some are even at a loss.



Maiquetia "Simon Bolivar" International Airport - Caracas, VE

The decreasing flight options have created a nightmare for Venezuelan customers who are having a very hard time finding available seats on flights. As expected, with a higher demand and a shorter supply, the flights that are available will cost an arm and a leg which is not something that most Venezuelans can afford.

The elite class of Venezuela, who are frequently traveling to Miami, have resorted to paying for private charter flights. The aforementioned option is an impossibility for the average Venezuelan.

This is an unintended consequence of a government that has taken measures to help the poor people, but by doing so, have inadvertently put them at a greater disadvantage.