An '80s downdraft for the airlines?

The recent furloughing of 520 employees and the elimination of 200 dialy flights at United Airlines is an indication of the air transport industry's concern over 1980. TWA has already laid off 3,000 employees and is not expected to call back flight crews originally scheduled to return in April.

Blame for this negative trend among practically all major carriers is being extended beyond fuel costs (due to rise another 15 cents a gallon in the next few weeks) to include overcrowding of primary markets because of deregulation, an anticipated general business turndown, and pending labor negotiations.