The Air Transport Association today said the number of air passengers traveling this summer on U.S. carriers would decline by 1 percent from the peak witnessed last summer, according to its forecast for air travel between June 1 and Aug. 31.
ATA expects 211.5 million passengers to take to the skies this summer, compared with 214.2 during the same period last year, citing the decline on "record-high jet fuel prices, a weakening economy and airline capacity cuts."
Last summer's travel season broke records both in terms of passengers carried and the number of delays they experienced, forcing a critical legislative lens on the U.S. airline business, centered around delays in New York, which strain the national system
(BTNonline, Oct. 8, 2007).
Though this summer will witness a marginal decrease in passengers, ATA president and CEO James May said airlines and airports are gearing up for a busy and potentially stressful travel period. "While New York remains a chokepoint, airlines, airports and government are doing all they can to avoid lengthy delays when possible and to provide a pleasant travel experience for all," May said.