One thing most American’s have not thought about is the effect that Hurricane Katrina can, will and is having on the nation’s airline industry. The skyrocketing gas prices and extreme gas shortages aren’t helping the already struggling industry. Jet fuel, as automobile fuel, has hit a new all time high. Without cheap fuel, airlines are forcing to raise prices and add fuel surcharges onto their tickets, which consumers are not happy about.

Delta for example has been nearing its all-time lows dipping below the $1.00 mark briefly before Friday’s market close. Delta is the nation’s third largest airline carrier; if such an important company is getting hit so hard, imagine all of the others. Already prior to Hurricane Katrina Delta was fighting bankruptcy, no one just has to wonder if it’s a matter of time.

Another big carrier, Northwest Airlines, has already hit their pilots with a big pay cut and is negotiating another. Because of the rising fuel prices and looming pension payouts, Northwest Airlines is the closest it has ever been to filling for bankruptcy. Pilots are working hard to avoid the company needing to file for Chapter 11 – if this is done all of their pensions will die.

These 2 large airline companies are fighting a tough battle to avoid bankruptcy and Hurricane Katrina only made it harder for them. This is just another example of how devastating the hurricane has been on our nation and our economy.