U.S. booked monthly air transactions for the fifth straight month showed increases over the corresponding period in the previous year, according to the ARC February 2010 reporting and settlement summary.
Within that five-month stretch, February showed the greatest year-over-year gain with an increase in total transactions of 11.5 percent. Domestic transactions during the month increased 12.3 percent. International transactions, which before the economic downturn outpaced domestic bookings in growth, rose 9.4 percent.
Although transactions in recent months have risen, they still are considerably lower from pre-downturn levels. February 2010 transaction levels were down 8.6 percent from February 2008.
The transaction growth coupled with indications of rising airfares drove a 16.8 percent increase in total sales volume. U.S. airline executives at this week's J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation & Defense Conference in New York City emphasized their commitment to return to pricing power similar to that of 2008 by maintaining reduced capacity where it stands, even with the return of demand
(BTNonline, March 9).