For the fifth consecutive 2008 holiday, fewer Carolinians overall plan to travel. Travel by air will decrease nearly eight percent while travel by vehicle will increase slightly, AAA Carolinas said today.
Christmas holiday travelers are expected to number 1.9 million in North Carolina (down 22,000 travelers compared to last Christmas) and 953,000 (down 10,500) in South Carolina, according to AAA Carolinas.
It is the first decline in Christmas holiday travel in the Carolinas since 2002.
Lower gasoline prices are encouraging more travel by vehicle with prices this holiday more than $1.27 a gallon less than in 2007 and more than $2.50 less than September peak gasoline prices.
At the same time, airlines have reduced the number of flights and locations where they fly by 10 percent. Fares have been declining recently as airlines seek to fill as many seats as possible every flight. Current holiday fares are roughly equal to 2007.
"The economy is the grinch in this year's Christmas holiday travel period," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "Planes will be packed with the airlines' capacity cutbacks. Winter weather can trigger delays and cancellations creating chaos and hassles at airports."
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