ATA Foresees Flat Summer Traffic, Rise In International Passengers

The Air Transport Association today said it estimates that 2.2 million daily passengers will take to the skies on U.S. carriers between June 1 and Aug. 31, representing a 1 percent increase in travelers compared with last year's summer season, though passenger volumes remain below the 2.28 million during that period in 2008.

While ATA said domestic travel volumes would be flat this summer season compared with last, U.S. carriers will see a 7 percent increase in international passengers. "We would like to see even more growth, but this slight uptick in the number of air travelers is a positive sign for an economy and an industry in recovery," ATA president and CEO James May said in a statement today.

Though travel levels will be below the record annual high of 2.36 million daily passengers flying U.S. carriers in the 2007 summer travel season, May warned travelers of congestion in the months to come. "Passengers should keep in mind that the chokepoints in the air traffic system—especially in the New York area—remain congested, despite capacity cuts necessitated by a weak economy and volatile fuel prices," he said. "This means that any disruption to the system, such as convective weather and air traffic control delays, will be amplified. Carriers remain duly concerned with delays and are planning accordingly. Passengers should be aware of this as well, and be prepared for delays, regardless of where in the system they are traveling."