Airlines are projected to carry a record number of 145 million spring travellers starting from March 1 through April 30. This means, an average of 2.4 million passengers per day would show a significance rise of about 4% from the 140 million travellers last year. Airlines for America, a trade group representing most of the largest carriers shared the numbers.
Airlines are adding 110,000 seats per day to accommodate an additional 89,000 daily passengers, according to the group. John Heimlich, the airline group’s chief economist said that with spring weather on the horizon, consumers are eager to travel and airlines are more than ready to accommodate the growth expected this year with additional seats, new aircraft and increases in staffing.
The Transportation Department also announced for continued growth and that U.S. airlines carried a record number of 823 million passengers last year. The feat marked steady growth since the 2008 recession and marked the first time airlines topped 800 million passengers. The major travel season, that is Thanksgiving and December holiday travel each saw a major new record in the number of passengers flying.
According to the trade group, U.S. and foreign airlines added 37 nonstop routes last year at U.S. airports. The increase reflected the addition of 198 new routes and scrapping 161 routes. Already this year, travellers have 17 new routes, after airlines added 151 routes and dropped 134, according to the trade group. Heimlich said in a statement that airlines recognize how important flight availability is to their customers and are working to benefit the millions of daily passengers they serve with expanded routes and more seat supply.
