U.S. air passenger revenue rose 13 percent in February, marking the 14th consecutive month of revenue growth, according to a report by the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) released on Thursday.
Early morning departure out of JFK (Photo by Mario Craig)
ATA’s report also showed that miles flown by paying passengers rose 2.1 percent while the average price to fly one mile rose 10.8 percent.
In addition, international markets remained especially strong as passenger revenue grew 17 percent, led by a 27 percent increase in Pacific revenue, while domestic revenue grew 11.5 percent, fueled in large part by a 10.5 percent increase in yield.
“Industry revenue growth persisted in February, despite widespread winter storms plaguing airline operations throughout the country, and reflects a strengthening economy and pricing environment buoyed by recent fare hikes attempting to offset rapidly rising energy prices,” said ATA Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich.
“As fuel prices remain at or near historically high levels, U.S. airlines may experience a more challenging revenue environment,” Heimlich added.
ATA based its report on a sample group of carriers, as its airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
The report also sampled U.S. airlines cargo traffic, and as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, traffic rose 5 percent year over year (down 2.7 percent domestically but up 11.0 percent internationally) in January.
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs.
