Zapping, e sento il Berlusconi che da Parigi parla di un prezzo massimo “limitato” per la benzina, come frutto di accordo tra le nazioni europee. Mi viene in mente una mail ricevuta dalla Delta Airlines qualche giorno fa.
Ho accumulato un sacco di miglia con il programma SkyMiles della Delta in questi ultimi 3 anni e di solito le email che ricevo sono quelle di un normale trusted customer. Questa ha un incipit insolito.
Hello Mr. Rossi,
Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now…
I CEO di tutte le maggiori compagnie aeree degli Stati Uniti, tra cui Delta, United, American, Northwest, Continental, per citare solo le maggiori, riflettono sul fatto che la nazione necessita di focalizzarsi sull’aumento di maggiori scorte energetiche e maggiore risparmio energetico. Che un pannello così ben rappresentato del capitalismo americano inviti al maggior risparmio energetico fa effetto, soprattutto dopo aver conosciuto gli americani.
Non ho vissuto la crisi energetica del ‘73 ma da quello che ne so fu causata da motivi principalmente geopolitici. Se pur tali motivi influenzano ancor oggi il prezzo del petrolio la crisi odierna ha maggiori connotazioni strutturali. I 12, tra CEOs e presidenti delle compagnie aeree puntano comunque l’indice sulla speculazione che a loro avviso è ciò che potrebbe essere più facilmente controllata.
The nation needs to pull together to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem.
We need your help. Get more information and contact Congress by visiting www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.
Ho l’impressione che cose come queste avranno un grosso peso nell’elezione del prossimo presidente americano.
(si veda il commento per il testo completo della email dalla Delta)
Hello Mr. Rossi,
Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now.
For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel means thousands of lost jobs and severe reductions in air service to both large and small communities. To the broader economy, oil prices mean slower activity and widespread economic pain. This pain can be alleviated, and that is why we are taking the extraordinary step of writing this joint letter to our customers.
Since high oil prices are partly a response to normal market forces, the nation needs to focus on increased energy supplies and conservation. However, there is another side to this story because normal market forces are being dangerously amplified by poorly regulated market speculation.
Twenty years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were purchased by speculators who trade oil on paper with no intention of ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators purchase 66 percent of all oil futures contracts, and that reflects just the transactions that are known. Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab. Some market experts estimate that current prices reflect as much as $30 to $60 per barrel in unnecessary speculative costs.
Over seventy years ago, Congress established regulations to control excessive, largely unchecked market speculation and manipulation. However, over the past two decades, these regulatory limits have been weakened or removed. We believe that restoring and enforcing these limits, along with several other modest measures, will provide more disclosure, transparency and sound market oversight. Together, these reforms will help cool the over-heated oil market and permit the economy to prosper.
The nation needs to pull together to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem.
We need your help. Get more information and contact Congress by visiting http://www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.
Richard Anderson
CEO
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Gerard J. Arpey
Chairman, President and CEO
American Airlines, Inc.
Bill Ayer
Chairman, President and CEO
Alaska Airlines, Inc.
Dave Barger
CEO
JetBlue Airways Corporation
Mark B. Dunkerley
President and CEO
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
Robert Fornaro
Chairman, President and CEO
AirTran Airways
Timothy E. Hoeksema
Chairman, President and CEO
Midwest Airlines
Lawrence W. Kellner
Chairman and CEO
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Gary Kelly
Chairman and CEO
Southwest Airlines Co.
Douglas Parker
Chairman and CEO
US Airways Group, Inc.
Douglas M. Steenland
President and CEO
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Glenn F. Tilton
Chairman, President and CEO
United Airlines, Inc.