Stronger Economy Fuels Boost in Air Revenue

Airline passenger revenue rose 19 percent in September 2010 compared to the same month in 2009, marking the ninth consecutive month of revenue growth, the Air Transport Association (ATA)said. The new ATA report sparked hopes of a sustained economic recovery.

Miles flown by paying passengers rose approximately 7 percent while the average price to fly one mile rose 11 percent. Passenger revenue improved 12 percent domestically and 35 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 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.

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, ATA reports.

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