Airline Stocks Down Sharply Over Past Month As Ebola Scare Continues

Airline stocks have been trending lower over the past month likely due to the recent Ebola virus scare.

The Amex Airline Index is down roughly 10.75 percent over the last month, falling from $88.49 to $77.80.

Beginning in late September, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States; This individual was pronounced dead on October 8, 2014.

As the disease is rampant in West Africa, airlines plan to tighten screening regulations for people flying from Africa. CBS news reports that “The Federal Aviation Administration says it has worked with the CDC to develop infectious disease guidelines for airline and air medical transport crews, as well as for aircraft cleaning and cargo personnel.”

Individual airline stocks that have been affected the most over the month are:

• Spirit Airlines SAVE down 16.5 percent.
• American Airlines Group AAL down 13 percent.
• Allegiant Travel Company ALGT down 12.7 percent.
• United Continental Holdings UAL down 11.3 percent
• JetBlue Airways JBLU down 10 percent.
• Delta Airlines DAL down 9.8 percent.