System Traffic Down 5.7 Percent From 2007, Down 3.7 Percent In 2008

The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on US airlines in December 2008 declined by 5.7 percent from December 2007, dropping by 3.4 million to 57.4 million, according to statistic released Thursday by the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. December was the 10th consecutive month with a decrease in passengers from 2007.

BTS reports US airlines carried 5.7 percent fewer domestic passengers than in December 2007, while international traffic on US carriers decreased 5.6 percent.

For the full year of 2008, the number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on US airlines declined by 3.7 percent from 2007, dropping to 741.4 million, 28.2 million fewer than a year earlier. That was the first year-to-year decline since 2002 and the fewest number of annual system passengers since 2005.

US airlines carried 4.3 percent fewer domestic passengers and 1.2 percent more international passengers during 2008 than in 2007. The combined domestic and international system load factor of 79.5 percent in 2008 was down 0.4 load factor points from last year's record for the year.

Southwest Airlines carried more total system passengers in 2008 than any other US airline for the second consecutive year, while American Airlines carried more international passengers in 2008 than any other US carrier for the 19th consecutive year. Both carriers also took the top positions in the December rankings.

As has become routine, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson was the busiest domestic airport in 2008, with 39.0 million domestic passenger boardings. Miami International was the busiest US airport for international travel on US carriers in 2008, with 5.1 million international passengers reported.

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