It is pretty evident that every airline was deeply affected by this attack. Some airlines were forced in to bankruptcy, the rest, having to cut at least 20 percent of their flights as well as their personnel, were left in need of federal assistance. Did this federal assistance come?
Yes, but to some airlines it was not enough. "The federal government showered $5 billion in cash and offers of $10 billion in loan guarantees to prop up the struggling industry. The measures have done little to help" (Ramstack).
The nation's major airlines are measuring success by their ability to avoid bankruptcy a year after 9/11. US Airways is in bankruptcy. American is restructuring and still cutting jobs to avoid bankruptcy. United Airlines will file for bankruptcy unless it can drastically reduce costs. Passenger frequency is still around 10 percent lower than before the attack. "But now, White House economists are taking a 'let it be' stance, to let the weaker airlines fail, leading to restructuring of the industry. The federal government will consider picking up
the pieces afterward" (Ramstack). …
