ATA Predicts 2.5 Percent Decline in Holiday Air Travel

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for U.S. airlines, is projecting that 41 million passengers will travel over the upcoming winter holidays on U.S. carriers, representing a 2.5 percent year-over-year decline from the 42 million passengers estimated to have flown during the same period in 2008.

The three busiest travel days during this holiday period are expected to be Sunday, Dec. 27; Monday, Dec. 28; and Tuesday, Dec. 29, respectively, based on sample data from the 2008 winter holiday period.

“We are continuing to see fewer air travelers over the holidays, a trend that has been apparent throughout 2009,” said James C. May, ATA president and CEO. “Capacity reductions will likely mean fuller flights on many days.”

May added that the decline continues to be driven by a fragile economy and depressed global demand for travel. ATA is expecting the federal government, once again, to open up Special Activity Airspace (SAS) on an as-needed basis to help ease congestion. SAS was also made available over the Thanksgiving holiday.