ATA reports 11th consecutive month of revenue growth

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today reported that passenger revenue,1 based on a sample group of carriers,2 rose 14.5 percent in November 2010 compared to the same month in 2009, marking the 11th consecutive month of revenue growth. Miles flown by paying passengers3 rose 6.5 percent while the average price to fly one mile rose 7.5 percent. Passenger revenue1 improved 11 percent domestically and 23 percent in international markets.

"These revenue results give us confidence as we enter the heart of the winter holiday season," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "The relative strength of demand for traveling and shipping in international markets is especially encouraging."

A sample of U.S. airlines4 saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, rise 6 percent year over year (down 2 percent domestically but up 13 percent internationally) in October 2010. November 2010 cargo data is not yet available.

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Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesassn.

[1] As defined by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, "revenues from the air transportation of passengers" in scheduled air service, not including amounts paid to change tickets, transport baggage or perform other types of ancillary services.

[2] Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways, including data for Air Midwest, Air Wisconsin, Allegheny, American Eagle, Atlantic Coast, Atlantic Southeast, Chautauqua, Comair, Continental Express, Executive, Freedom, Horizon, Mesa, Mesaba, MidAtlantic, Piedmont, Pinnacle, PSA, Shuttle America, SkyWest and Trans States. Data for all reporting U.S. airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.bts.gov).

[3] Previously, ATA monthly press releases cited the number of passengers; to align more closely with the per-mile price statistics, ATA is now reporting traffic on a total mileage basis.

[4] Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, UPS and US Airways. Data for all reporting U.S. airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.bts.gov).