Suddenly, no weaker carrier was in any position to buy or lease older planes.

"But the weaker carriers have a tendency to request as many exceptions as possible."

The scramble to find partners and to take over weaker carriers will continue.

Should foreign airlines be allowed to buy control of weaker American carriers to keep them flying and thus foster domestic competition?

Northwest is not joining the airline industry rush to spend heavily on routes being sold by weak carriers.

And in many markets, American is even cutting fares below the April 9 levels because of competitive pressure from the weaker carriers.

Without the intervention of foreign airlines - or some Government regulation to protect the weaker carriers - airline industry contraction seems destined to continue.

It was no easy task to clean away the camouflaging noise from the weak carrier.

"The shame is that financially weaker carriers have extended deep discount fares into the peak summer season."

Ultimately, the smaller, weaker carriers will be forced out of business, with more industry concentration and perhaps worse service.