Air show focuses on improved efficiency

The AP (5/26, Frey) reported that "the global aerospace industry will be focusing on improved efficiency and developments in alternative fuels at the International Berlin Air Show," also known as the Aerospace Exhibition and Conferences, being held this week. Since the hikes in fuel prices, the AP noted, planemakers have been "looking toward producing lighter, more efficient machinery," while "airports are trying...to streamline operations and reduce bottlenecks and improve efficiency." David Kaminski Morrow of Air Transport Intelligence "said the effort to reduce weight was an ongoing trend among airlines, but was becoming more important given the state of the oil markets." Morrow also cautioned "that widespread use of alternative fuels for airlines was still 'several years down the line.'" Commenting on fuel prices' impact on carriers, analyst Bob Mann said that "current fuel prices...would require a 20 percent increase in revenue, accompanied by a 20 percent reduction in capacity for U.S. airlines, to generate economic returns."