When did flying become an essential service?
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Time to batten down the hatches over the next while, expect extreme turbulence to affect all stocks while all the panic merchants sell in fear.
The word essential has a subjective meaning according to the individual and to a vast number of people air travel for various reasons fits that definition. PS-Snowsports are not essential either yet thousands of young ones arrive in NZ each year to hit the slopes while living the most basic of lifestyles.
It is certainly subjective but context counts for a lot.
You said
I would contend that air travel is not essential therefore holding stock in AIR can't be considered "holding a stock in an essential service".
In a downturn overseas holidays is one of the 1st things to be shelved, food would be one of the last.
Why limit travel to holidays?
I head off to Queensland on Saturday to compete in the PanPacific Masters games. It isn't a holiday as I hope to get at least 1 medal, and air travel is the only way to get there. I suppose sport is optional, yet these event do still get held even in economic downturns.
In April I am going to Vienna for a scientific conference. Again, not a holiday and air travel is the only way to get there. I guess conferences are also optional, yet they still get held even in economic downturns.
In modern times even freight is being handled more and more by air rather than sea. So I do not dispair of air travel suddenly ceasing.
New Zealand currently brews more Jet Fuel than it consumes !
NZ tourism boom soaks up jet fuel supplies
Best Wishes
Paper Tiger
I wouldn't expect it to cease and never suggested that.
When I have heard people talk about essential services air travel has never been in the conversation.
I'm not sure what you are trying to suggest? That, in a downturn air travel will continue unabated then I think you are wrong. In a down turn air travel will be more affected than food or power - true essential services
A modern thriving economy requires a decent amount of transport infrastructure which is why many Government's around the world hold a stake in their national airline as they deem that to be in their national interest.
Seatbelt's fastened we could be in for some "trumped up" turbulence.
The economic downturn in Australia has mildly affected passenger numbers for Qantas and Virgin. Airline margins are small so even a slight drop in passenger numbers, reduced airfares and slightly reduced use of aircraft will have a disproportionate effect on profit margin.
In my previous life working in a big airline, we found that when the world economy went down, airfreight volume actually goes up. A few reasons. One is that to be competitive, you have to get your goods to market faster. Another is that in lean times, your inventory levels goes down and so you have to move goods faster.
Just to add to the debate , interesting article here .
Personally could see less of the budget family holiday to say Brisbane in any economic downturn , and a lot more competitive pricing .
http://www.wsj.com/articles/global-a...row-1474250520