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Family Road Trips Turning Into Popular Vacation Options With Hotel, Airlines Suffering

By News Jul 30, 2020 | 8:34 AM

Some may remember the 1960s iconic Route 66 Road Trips and expeditions similar to that may be happening again.

Executive Travel’s Steve Glenn says the year of the staycation and the traditional multi-day family vacation is here.

“Now it’s come back.  This is the year for that.  You’re seeing more people traveling and getting out,” Glenn says. “You have the security of your vehicle of course for those who are worried about flying.”

Popular in-country destinations include the Ozarks, Branson, the Mountains, State and National Parks.

Hotel steals are out there and Glenn added they are safe to lodge in from the several social distancing and cleaning protocols being followed.

“There’s actually accountability, there’s an insurance policy backing it up and there is a protocol to make sure they do the checklist so-to-speak,” he says.  “I’d have no problem staying in a hotel.”

But the airline industry is suffering the most. Only 40 to 50 percent are full prompting potential mergers, layoffs and discounted airfares.

“I’m worried towns like Lincoln aren’t going to see major carried come because they can serve Lincoln out of Omaha,” he says.  “We’re seeing a complete change of landscape in the airlines.”

Delta announced earlier it suspended service to the LNK Airport.

Federal legislation in both the Senate and House of Representatives would add assurance to Nebraska’s airport.

Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer introduced the ‘AIR’ Act which reviewed the federal funding formula.

“I felt we had to look at that formula funding and make adjustments that recognize the negative impact we’re weeing from the coronavirus on airports and how that affected that funding and make adjustments to it,” the senator said.

The act requires the FAA to calculate funding for the next two years based on either 2018 or 2019 enplanement numbers, rather than 2020 and 2021 enplanement numbers which are expected to be significantly lower because of COVID-19.

“With passenger numbers at historic lows, flight schedules changing on a daily basis, and many aeronautical revenue sources unreliable at best, airports are faced with the daunting task of continuing to address critical infrastructure needs in the face of uncertain funding streams,” said David Haring, Executive Director of the Lincoln Airport Authority, whose statement appears on Fischer’s website.

“I sincerely appreciate Sen. Fischer’s efforts to provide airports with a much-needed level of stability by working with members of Congress to craft a pre-pandemic benchmark when considering federal funding levels.  Maintaining this program to the fullest extent possible will provide a vital tool for communities to utilize to aid in job creation and economic recovery.”

“We just want to make sure the Lincoln airport won’t be negatively impacted because of the huge drops in numbers,” Fischer said.