Airlines for America predicts best summer ever for air travel
Industry trade organization Airlines for America is predicting passenger traffic for summer 2015 could be the highest ever.
A4A forecasts 222 million passengers, or an average 2.4 million a day, will pass through US airports during the June-August summer period.
This would represent an annual rise of 4.5%, or an extra 104,000 passengers a day.
The total includes an estimated record high 31 million passengers travelling overseas on international flights.
A4A said its member airlines are increasing seat capacity by 4.6% to meet summer demand.
"The continued rise in US consumer sentiment and employment is leading to more people traveling more often, and air travel remains one of the best consumer bargains in America," said John Heimlich, A4A vice president and chief economist.
"With 13 of the 15 busiest air travel days of the year falling in the summer months, U.S. airlines are well-prepared to accommodate the increased travel demand," Heimlich added.
Heimlich said the 10 publically traded US airlines posted a combined profit of $3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2015.
"Healthy air travel demand and lower, yet still volatile, fuel prices are helping US airlines close the gap to average US corporate profitability. In the first quarter, airlines invested more than $20 per passenger in capital improvements, taking care of employees, continuing to pay down debt and returning cash to shareholders."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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