ATA reports 4% fall in Dec-2009 pax revenue, domestic yield down 1.9%

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) reported (20-Jan-2010) preliminary passenger revenue fell 4% year-on-year in Dec-2009, the fourteenth consecutive monthly decline, while passenger revenue for the full year 2009 fell 18%. ATA added passenger numbers on US airlines fell 3% in Dec-2009. In sharp contrast to prior months, US airlines saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, grow 7% year over year (2% domestically and 11% internationally) in Nov-2009, driven primarily by increased international trade. This was the first observed increase in cargo traffic since July 2008. (Dec-2009 cargo data is not yet available).

Air Transport Association of America: "The global recession, accompanied by high levels of unemployment, hit air travel demand especially hard in 2009 but the declines appear to be bottoming out. Anecdotal evidence suggests a positive revenue trajectory in 2010…however, we are seeing higher fuel prices as well, which could hinder recovery efforts," James May, President and CEO. Source: ATA, 20-Jan-2010.

Last week, ATA applauded the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for its action to protect consumers and the fragile economy from "reckless oil speculation", and continues to encourage congressional action to give CFTC the authority to remove trading loopholes.

ATA also reports the following passenger yield per RPM highlights for its member airlines*:

• Dec-2009:
  • Passenger yield per RPM:
    • Domestic: USD 14.11 cents, -1.9% year-on-year;
    • Trans-Atlantic: USD 11.81 cents, +2.3%;
    • Latin America: USD 14.44 cents, -6.9%;
    • Asia Pacific: USD 11.04 cents, -8.4%;
• 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009:
  • Passenger yield per RPM:
    • Domestic: USD 13.45 cents, -11.8%;
    • Trans-Atlantic: USD 11.00 cents, -17.8%;
    • Latin America: USD 13.02 cents, -12.6%;
    • Asia Pacific: USD 10.80 cents, -15.8%. [more]

*Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United, US Airways and their regional affiliates