BTS reports 5.3% decline in system pax on US airlines and foreign airlines in 2009

US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports (29-Mar-2010) scheduled domestic and international passenger numbers on US airlines and on flights to/from the US on foreign airlines fell 5.3% year-on-year to 769.6 million in 2009. Among airlines, Southwest Airlines carried more total system passengers in 2009 than any other US airline for the third consecutive year, while American Airlines carried more international passengers to/from the US in 2009 than any other US or foreign carrier for the 20th consecutive year. Among airports, more total system passengers boarded aircraft at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International than at any other US airport in 2009 while more international passengers boarded aircraft at New York John F Kennedy than at any other US airport. Details include:

• Total passenger numbers*: 769.6 million, -5.3% year-on-year;
  • US carriers: 703.9 million, -5.3%;
    • Domestic: 618.1 million, -5.2%;
    • International: 85.8 million, -6.3%;
  • Foreign carriers:
    • To/from US: 65.7 million, -4.8%. [more]