Airline stocks tumble amid economic concerns

Airlines, especially full-service carriers with big international networks, had been a bright spot thanks to strong demand and moderating domestic flight growth, but some analysts are now anticipating potential demand impacts, particularly for more price-sensitive customers ahead of the crucial spring travel season.

U.S. consumer spending fell in January for the first time in almost two years, the U.S. Commerce Department said last week. Earlier in February, its retail sales report from a month earlier showed a bigger-than-expected drop.

“While we continue to remain constructive on the supply backdrop – which we still believe is favorable – our attention has shifted to what…