Air Transport Association Reports Double-Digit Increase in March Passenger Revenue, February Cargo Traffic

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 carriers1, rose 15.4 percent in March versus the same month in 2009, marking the third consecutive month of revenue growth.

Approximately 1.4 percent more passengers traveled on U.S. airlines1 in March, while the average price to fly one mile rose 11.7 percent. Growth was robust across all regions in international markets, with passenger revenues rising 19.6 percent.

U.S. airlines2 saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, rise 14 percent year over year (4 percent domestically and 23 percent internationally) in February 2010, driven by increased international trade. March 2010 cargo data is not yet available.

“With the global economy continuing to heal, spending on air travel in international markets led the way in March. However, we expect that the recent shutdown of European airspace due to volcanic activity will negatively impact April results,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May.

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 nearly 26,000 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.