Long-term prospects for airlines, freight forwarders uncertain.(Brief Article)

The effect on the national economy of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. will takes weeks and months to show.

But for the airline industry, already struggling this year, the effect was fast and furious. No planes flew for two full days. When the airlines resumed flights-gradually--they were hit with cancellations and virtually no new ticket sales.

"All we have done since Tuesday is refund and cancel," said Eileen Seery, owner of Custom Travel in Clifton Park.

US Airways, the largest passenger carrier at Albany International Airport and one of the weakest financially, had returned to almost full service a week later. But no one could predict its long-term prospects in Albany or elsewhere.

"Passenger volume is obviously down," …