The airline industry was hit particularly hard after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. In 2002, Southwest Airlines, one of the healthier airline companies, decided to lengthen the useful lives of its aircraft from 22 to 27 years. Shortly thereafter, following Southwest’s lead, other airlines made the same move.  Some people argue that the useful lives and depreciation of airplanes are irrelevant. They claim that because of the extensive maintenance and testing that airline companies are required by law to perform; the planes theoretically can be in service for an indefinite future period. What is wrong with this argument?

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
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Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
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The airline industry was hit particularly hard after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. In 2002, Southwest Airlines, one of the healthier airline companies, decided to lengthen the useful lives of its aircraft from 22 to 27 years. Shortly thereafter, following Southwest’s lead, other airlines made the same move.

 Some people argue that the useful lives and depreciation of airplanes are irrelevant.
They claim that because of the extensive maintenance and testing that airline companies are required by law to perform; the planes theoretically can be in service for an indefinite future period. What is wrong with this argument?

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