The Department of Commerce has released preliminary results for the U.S. outbound non-stop air market, which totaled 38.7 million in 2009 and was 3 percent below 2008. In 2009, the top outbound markets were Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and Mexico, all of which were down in departures along with Central America and Canada. The Middle East and Africa experienced the strongest growth in 2009. Air travel was also up to Oceania and South America.
In December 2009, the outbound air market increased 1 percent when compared to December 2008, reaching 3.5 million. U.S. air travel abroad registered month-over-month increases in five out of the last six months of the year. During the second-half of the year, air departures increased 1 percent as opposed to an 8 percent decline in the first-half. Positive growth occurred in seven of the eight world regions, with Oceania, the Middle East and Africa posting double-digit increases. But outbound travel to Canada and Mexico were both down 6 percent.
U.S. spending in December 2009 by U.S. travelers on foreign carrier passenger fares totaled $2.3 billion, down 17 percent compared to December 2008. In 2009, spending by U.S. travelers on air and vessel transportation decreased 20 percent to $26.0 billion. Since passenger fare receipts (foreign travelers on U. S. carriers) declined by 15 percent for the year, the balance of trade for passenger fares increased to an $881 million surplus.
Additional study highlights include:
* Overseas markets remained down one percent for the year but grew two percent in December
* Europe declined four percent for the year and decreased five percent for the month
* Asia was down four percent for the year but grew three percent for the month
* Canada decreased nine percent for the year and was down six percent for the month
* The Caribbean decreased two percent for the year but increased seven percent in December
* For the year, air traffic to Mexico decreased 11 percent. For the month, Mexico was down one percent compared to December 2008
* South America was up one percent for the year and the month
* Central America was down two percent for the year but was flat for the month
* The Middle East was up 41 percent for the year and up 27 percent in December
* Oceania increased three percent for the year and increased 27 percent for the month
* Africa increased 25 percent for the year and jumped 18 percent for the month