Effect 9-11 Had on Air Travel Internationally

By: Emily Patrick, Amanda Reid, and Quinn Collins

September 11, 2001 caused many tragedies for families all over the country.  Why was this brutal attack planed?  Sources show that some of the motives were the presence of the U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia and the sanctions against Iraq.  This was stated by Al- Qaeda before the attack.  It seems that the longer the troops took presence in Iraq, the angrier the Al- Qaeda became.  Now people wonder many things, could 9/11 have been avoided?  Is our current presence in Iraq putting us in danger of another attack?

Nine- eleven caused many Americans to find other means of travel in and out of the United States.  Many people no longer preferred air travel in the U.S.  It wasn’t just Americans who were affected by this, many countries worldwide experienced decrease in demands for air travel.  Certain people were no longer allowed into the country because of lack of visas. Travelers with a visa only had to go through one screening process to get onto the planes.  Travelers without visas had to go through double screening.  Many people without visas were still allowed, and there were still a considerable number of people with and without visas allowed onto the planes. 

Many trade countries had trouble trading with the United States.  The economies of many countries, especially Canada, Mexico, and Japan, were affected negatively because their trade with the United States decreased. 

Airline companies were already in financial trouble because of the recession.  9/11 made the financial trouble increase by a shocking amount.  The federal government actually had to give the airline companies in the United States 15 billion dollars as an aid package so the companies could stay in business. 

            In November 2001, President Bush signed an Aviation and Transportation Security Act into law.  The law required security people to be federal employees.  It also strengthened the air marshal program.  The Bush Administration requested 4.8 billion dollars to put this law into effect.

            According to data released by the U.S Department of Commerce, the United States let 25.3 million visitors from overseas over in 2008.  This may seem like a lot, but it is 633,000 less than in 2000.  Even all these years after, we still have not made it back to the numbers of airline entrances to the United States from overseas that came in 2000. “Our nation is locked in an economic crisis to which overseas visitors hold a key.  It is time for Congress to take immediate action as today's global economic crisis and America's strengthening currency will further weaken America's standing as a premier travel destination,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.  He is right. 

Even today many Americans are afraid to travel to the United States using airplanes because of what happened on 9/11.  It not only changed our economy, but the economies of our big trade partners all over the globe.  The security measures are still increasing, and any suspicious items someone may have could put them on the terrorist watch list.  America is being very cautious and looking at every little detail to ensure the lives of people everywhere are protected from an incident like this.

            September 11 caused many effects on air travel.  There is a big difference between the use of air travel before and after 9/11.  Air travel is now the second most used form of transportation. Each day, over 57, 000 planes take off.  Every year, it costs the U.S. economy more than 26 million dollars.

Before nine eleven, there were over six million oversea arrivals. After, oversea arrivals dropped to less than 4 million. This shows that nine eleven massively affected the air travel in other countries. How was air travel affected in the U.S.? Sources show that nine eleven drastically affected the air travel in the U.S.A.

After 9/11 occurred, the most visible security changes have been on planes themselves.  Measures were taken to equip airports with the best security possible.  However, security changes in the actual airports came about more slowly.  Airports were raising the prices of their trip cost so they could afford top security.  Therefore, people were forced to pay higher prices for the benefit of their safety.  For example, many planes now have bulletproof glass on them. 

The U.S. Senate also passed a bill that provides access to arms for the pilots in the cockpit.  This week, there have been temporary restrictions put on flights within a thirty mile radius of all public events in New York, Washington D.C., and Somerset, PA for 9/11’s anniversary.  Prior to 9/11, the hired security screeners were sometimes unable to detect bombs or other serious weapons.  They also didn’t have the proper technology to detect weapons as well.  How safe was that? 

A little while after the attacks, President Bush provided $20 billion dollars for the upgrading of security and intelligence.  This included tougher background checks and more strict security requirements on baggage checks.  The TSA was created after the attacks to improve airline security.  After the TSA was created, about 65,000 federal personnel were employed.   

Before the terrorist attacks, anyone was allowed at the gate to see their loved ones depart.  Now only passengers are allowed passed the baggage check.  These measures affect airports internationally to make sure that that horrible day is never relived.  Let’s hope this tragic event never happens again.

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