Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is true; airlines operate using a hub-and-spoke model, which has led to a more efficient and expanded industry with increased safety due to governmental oversight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding airlines using a hub-and-spoke system to coordinate flights is true. This system involves airlines having a central hub city where flights converge and then depart to various destinations, which are referred to as the spokes. It allows for more efficient routing of passengers, leading to flights taking off with a higher number of filled seats, increasing from half full to two-thirds full flights. Consequently, this increased efficiency has contributed to a more robust airline industry, with expanded service to more cities, lower airfares, and a doubled number of air passengers and industry jobs from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. Additionally, despite worries about the impact of industry mergers on competition, oversight by government safety inspectors has ensured that commercial air travel continues to improve in terms of safety.