Air Transport Association Reports Ninth Consecutive Month of Revenue Growth

Stronger Economy Fuels Boost in Passenger Revenue

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today reported that passenger revenue,(1) based on a sample group of carriers,(2) rose 19 percent in September 2010 compared to the same month in 2009, marking the ninth consecutive month of revenue growth. Miles flown by paying passengers(3) rose approximately 7 percent while the average price to fly one mile rose 11 percent. Passenger revenue(1) improved 13 percent domestically and 32 percent in international markets.

"Once again, the global economy is driving spending on air travel with passenger revenue exceeding last year's depressed levels," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "The industry remains hopeful that the nation's economic recovery will progress in the months ahead."

A sample of U.S. airlines(4) saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, rise 14 percent year over year (5 percent domestically and 22 percent internationally) in August 2010. September 2010 cargo data is not yet available.

ABOUT ATA

ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate approximately 25,000 flights in 80 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesassn.

(1) As defined by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, "revenues from the air transportation of passengers" in scheduled air service, not including amounts paid to change tickets, transport baggage or perform other types of ancillary services.

(2) Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways, including data for Air Midwest, Air Wisconsin, Allegheny, American Eagle, Atlantic Coast, Atlantic Southeast, Chautauqua, Comair, Continental Express, Executive, Freedom, Horizon, Mesa, Mesaba, MidAtlantic, Piedmont, Pinnacle, PSA, Shuttle America, SkyWest and Trans States. Data for all reporting U.S. airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.bts.gov).

(3) Previously, ATA monthly press releases cited the number of passengers; to align more closely with the per-mile price statistics, ATA is now reporting traffic on a total mileage basis.

(4) Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, UPS and US Airways. Data for all reporting U.S. airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.bts.gov).

SOURCE Air Transport Association