Possible impact of drop in Delta's international traffic

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Delta Airlines' drop in sales for international flights could mean cheaper tickets.

Monday, the Atlanta-based airline said its international traffic was down about 15 percent in March.

The economic downturn has forced many to cut back on travel. It's harder for Delta and all airlines to sell seats. Rick Seaney is CEO of Fare Compare-dot-com.

SEANEY: "What we're seeing now is because of the demand dropping they're gonna probably have to at least at the end of the summer cut several seats out of their international routes."

Delta would not comment on whether international traffic numbers released Monday would impact capacity. However, last month the airline said it would begin cutting international capacity by 10 percent in September. Seaney says it's easier for airlines to fill planes if there are fewer seats.

SEANEY: "If the planes are full you can charge higher ticket prices. If there's empty seats, there's always an incentive to discount. So, it's all about how full can I get my plane to and from people who are crossing the Atlantic."

For example, Seaney says tickets from the US to Europe range between 6 and 7 hundred dollars. That represents a 4 hundred reduction.

Tuesday, Delta dropped some international fares for certain frequent flyers as airlines struggle to find the bottom of the recession.