Answer to Question #95458 in Microeconomics for joel

Question

Children under age 2 are now allowed to fly free on U.S. airlines; they usually sit in their parents’ laps. Some safety advocates have urged that they be required to be strapped in infant seats, which would mean their parents would have to purchase tickets for them. Some economists have argued that such a measure would actually increase infant fatalities. Can you say why?

Answer 1

Permission to fly free for children under age 2 can cause increase of infant fatalities. If the price for tickets reduces (till 0 in this case), demand for children flights will increase (more parents will be able to take kids with themselves); consequently, the number of children dies or injures in aircrafts will grow up.