Here's my strategic view: I'm more concerned about the American and global economy as a whole than the interests of one sub-group of one specific sector.
Here's what's happened in the cruise industry:
View attachment 37127
(source:
https://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch7en/appl7en/global_cruise_passengers.html)
Passenger volumes have doubled every 10 years and have weathered the recession well. The increasing volumes of cruise passengers have then led to a boom in hotels, flights, and activities in American port cities. How much of the MCO air travel market is a result of the growth of the cruise industry?
Ok...but what of the maritime freight industry?
View attachment 37128
(source:
https://www.statista.com/statistics...t-in-international-maritime-trade-since-1970/)
Shipping volumes have increased by a factor of 4 since 1970. Both domestic retailing and manufacturing are now reliant on overseas production.
In air transport policy, it almost always comes down to airlines vs all other sectors. I believe that low-cost flights from small markets to Europe is a good thing for America as a whole, but perhaps not so great for one specific sector. To me, the value of getting more Americans to Europe is far more important than the concerts of three domestic airlines.