ATA forecasts 3.5% reduction in Labor Holiday traffic

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) forecasts (17-Aug-2009) a 3.5% year-on-year decline in passenger numbers on US airlines during the Labor Day Holiday travel period, 02-Sep-2009 to 09-Sep-2009, to 16 million passengers. Details include:

• Passenger numbers: 16 million, -3.5% year-on-year;
• Domestic: -3.5%;
• International: -3.0%. [more]

The ATA added the most current schedule filings for Oct-2009 to Dec-2009, show 22% fewer domestic departures than in the same period of 2000 - a reduction of approximately 6,660 flights per day.

ATA: "Passengers should expect airports to be less crowded, but planes will be at or near capacity during this Labor Day holiday period. Economic uncertainty and persistently high energy prices for consumers and businesses continue to impact demand for air travel. Now is a great time to fly. Low fares are making travel to all corners of the world very affordable", James May, President and CEO. Source: ATA, 17-Aug-2009.