Despite recent concerns about airline safety, local travel agencies say they have experienced no decline in the number of students planning spring break vacations abroad.

"Surprisingly, we have sold a fair amount of tickets to Europe for spring break," said Charlie Campbell, owner of Campbell Travel, 409 S. Pugh St.

Concerns about terrorism arose after the bombing aboard Pan American Flight 103 in December, but reservations about the safety of aging American airliners appear not to be affecting students' plans, said Herwig Brandstatter, owner of Universe Travel, 240 S. Pugh St.

"I don't think there are a lot of risks in flying. You probably take more risks just walking out your door in the morning," Brandstatter said.

The big destinations for spring break this year are the Bahamas and Mexico, said Susan Abruzzo, travel agent at Airlandsea Travel and Tour, 216 W. College Ave. Abruzzo said they have not experienced a decline in the number of students planning spring vacations outside of the United States and they also do not expect a decline in students traveling to Europe this summer, she said.

"Students are still going to travel to Europe because the dollar is strong," she said "A few years ago tourism in Europe dropped off because the dollar was weak."

Most students agree that air safety is a concern, but not something that would affect their travel plans.

"I knew someone on the Pan Am flight -- she was with the Syracuse group. It makes me think twice about flying, but I'm not going to change my plans because of it. It's just a chance that anyone who flies has to take," said Charlie Beezel, (junior-liberal arts).

Kelly Hackett (sophomore-political science) said, "I'm still applying to take part in the education abroad program. I think about air safety, but it's the kind of thing where you just have to cross your fingers. If you were in a position of authority you could do something, otherwise there is really nothing you can do."

Chhaya Joshi (junior-psychology) went abroad over winter break and said her family took Air India rather than the Kuwaiti airliner because of terrorism threats.

"It really doesn't worry me. Maybe because I've flown so often without any problems," Joshi said.

Many people think that after a terrorism incident occurs, security may even be better, said Carol McAdams, owner of McAdams Travel World, 103 E. Beaver Ave. McAdams said she sees less of a concern among travelers about air accidents. Tourists are more concerned about inexperienced mechanics than they are about terrorism, she said.

"People take it in stride. They see a group of three accidents and just think it will be better,"she said.

Brandstatter advises travelers who are very concerned with safety to take an international airliner like SwissAir over a domestic airliner like Eastern or Pan Am. Most European airliners are better when it comes to security, but none have total immunity from terrorism, he said.

"Even the Israeli airliners, which are the best when it comes to security, are not a total guarantee. Something can always happen," he said.