WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade
organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today projected that
45.7 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines over the
18-day winter holiday travel period from Thurs., Dec. 20, through Sun., Jan. 6. This would be a 5.2 percent
increase over the estimated 43.4 million passengers who flew during
the comparable timeframe last year.
In order to accommodate the expected average of 2.54 million
passengers per day — an increase of 126,000 travelers per day from
last year — U.S. airlines will offer an additional 143,000 seats
daily across their global networks.
"With airfares at historic lows, travelers are choosing to fly
on U.S. airlines in record numbers, especially during the busy
holiday season," A4A Vice President and Chief Economist
John Heimlich. "Increased consumer
choices and fares that match nearly every budget have enabled a
record number of people take to the skies to visit loved ones,
conduct business or enjoy a holiday getaway."
Daily passenger volumes are projected to range from 2.1 to 2.9
million. The busiest expected travel days in ranked order are:
- Fri., Dec. 21
- Thurs., Dec. 20
- Wed., Dec. 26
The lightest travel days are expected to be Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day, followed by Sat., Jan.
5.
Airlines, TSA continue to work together ahead of busy holiday
travel season
On the heels of the busiest Thanksgiving air travel period in
history, U.S. airlines continue to work collaboratively with the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure the safety
and security of the millions of passengers and crew members who are
screened at TSA checkpoints each day before continuing on to their
departing flights.
"Airlines are investing and work in close coordination with the
TSA, including by expanding the use of biometrics and innovative
screening technology and encouraging more passengers to enroll in
Trusted Traveler Programs," said A4A Vice President of Security and
Facilitation Lauren Beyer. "These
innovations make us more secure and improve the passenger
experience. The security of our passengers and crew is always the
industry's top priority, especially during the busy holiday travel
season."
Airlines, airports collaborate on airport infrastructure
projects without increased taxes on passengers
With historically low airfares and booming demand for air
travel, airlines are working in partnership with airports across
the country to ensure the customer experience is a positive one,
from check-in to touchdown.
U.S. airlines continue to invest heavily in airport
infrastructure to modernize and expand facilities. Airline-airport
collaboration has already led to $130
billion in capital improvement projects completed, underway
or approved at the nation's largest U.S. airports over the past
decade alone with more plans in the works. Development is also
robust at small and medium airports and cargo facilities across the
country.
A4A has long advocated against raising taxes on the flying
public, citing the many highly-funded resources available to
airports for new projects, including $3.3
billion in revenue from the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC)
in 2017 alone. Airports also have access to more than $14.5 billion in unrestricted cash reserves and
investments and the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) has an
uncommitted balance of $6 billion,
which the Congressional Budget Office projects will grow to a
record $8.7 billion by the end of
2020.
ABOUT A4A
Airlines for America (A4A) advocates on behalf of the American
airline industry as a model of safety, customer service and
environmental responsibility and as the indispensable network that
drives our nation's economy and global competitiveness. Annually,
commercial aviation helps drive $1.5
trillion in U.S. economic activity and support more than 10
million U.S. jobs. U.S. airlines fly 2.3 million passengers and
more than 55,000 tons of cargo each day.
View the infographic.
For more information about the airline industry,
visit airlines.org and the blog, A Better Flight Plan,
at airlines.org/blog.
Follow us on Twitter: @airlinesdotorg.
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/AirlinesforAmerica.
Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/AirlinesforAmerica.
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SOURCE Airlines for America