ATA: Air Passenger Volume, Revenue Jump In April

The Air Transport Association today reported passenger revenue among U.S. carriers grew 12.5 percent in April, marking the fourth consecutive monthly year-over-year increase in passenger revenue per available seat mile.

Thanks to more passengers and stronger pricing compared to a year ago, ATA president and CEO James May said, "The April jump in passenger revenue is a positive sign and one showing that the U.S. industry is recovering gradually from last year's severely depressed levels."

International revenue growth has been particularly strong, surging by 15 percent last month, while domestic revenue was up 10 percent.

Still, April passenger revenue remains down almost 8 percent when compared to April 2008, "but revenues are just about back to 2007 levels," said Helane Becker, transportation analyst for Jesup & Lamont Securities. Commenting on the ATA data, Becker in a research note today said, "Going forward, the year-over-year comparisons for May through July are extremely easy, and it is highly likely that we will be back to 2008 levels by the fourth quarter."