Sun, Aug 23, 2009
Fewer Passengers Flying Despite Double-Digit Declines in
Fares
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), said Thursday
that passenger revenue based on a sample group of carriers fell 21
percent in July 2009 versus the same month in 2008 -- the ninth
consecutive month in which passenger revenue has fallen from the
prior year. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more
than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo
traffic.
Four percent fewer passengers traveled on U.S. airlines in July
while the average price to fly one mile fell 18 percent, a modest
improvement over the 21 percent year-over-year yield decline
observed in June. Revenue declines extended beyond the mainland
United States to the trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and Latin
markets.
"While the modest improvement in demand from June to July would
normally be cause for cautious optimism, the fact is that the
number of air travelers continues to fall despite double-digit
declines in fares. Clearly, with the difficult economic
environment, demand for air travel remains weak," said ATA
President and CEO James C. May.
Also reflecting a weak global economy is the continued decline
in cargo traffic. U.S. airlines saw cargo revenue ton miles decline
15 percent year over year (11 percent domestically and 18 percent
internationally) in June 2009, the 11th consecutive month of
declining volumes. July 2009 cargo data is not yet available.
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive $1.1 trillion in U.S.
economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. On a daily
basis, U.S. airlines operate nearly 28,000 flights in 80 countries,
using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million
passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo.
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