U.S. Airlines post six consecutive months of revenue growth in recovering economy
21-Jul-2010 U.S. Airlines post six consecutive months of revenue growth in recovering economy; double-digit growth reflects marketplace optimism
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today reported that passenger revenue, based on a sample group of carriers,1 rose 25 percent in June 2010 compared to the same month in 2009, marking the sixth consecutive month of revenue growth. For the 12 months ending June 2010, passenger revenue was approximately 0.5 percent greater than calendar year 2000 levels.
Approximately 1.4 percent more passengers traveled on U.S. airlines1 in June while the average price to fly one mile rose 20 percent. International passenger revenue rose 38 percent, led by a 58 percent gain in trans-Pacific markets.
"It is clear from these positive results that the recovering U.S. economy is enabling airlines to dig out from the very deep hole of a year ago," said ATA President and CEO James C. May.
U.S. airlines2 saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, rise 22 percent year over year (7 percent domestically and 35 percent internationally) in May 2010, driven by increased international trade. June 2010 cargo data is not yet available.
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate approximately 25,000 flights in 80 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo.
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org.
1 Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways; also includes 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.
2 Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, UPS and US Airways.