“2018 has been an exceptionally busy year for air travel,” industry organisation says
Airlines based in the United States are preparing for a record number of passengers over this year’s Labor Day travel period.
According to the industry organisation Airlines for America, during the week-long exceptional travel time which runs through September 4, more than 16.5 million travellers will fly worldwide on board of American carriers.
The number reflects an increase of 3.5 per cent in comparison to the same period last year when 16 million passengers used the service of a US carrier.
“This Labor Day, US airlines are enabling more passengers than ever before to take to the skies to see loved ones or visit exciting destinations because of improved accessibility for all,” A4A vice president John Heimlich said in a statement.
The organisation is expecting 2.36 million daily passengers over the Labor Day week which is an increase of 79,000 people per day from 2017. To meet the demand, carriers will offer 2.76 million seats per day across their networks.
The day with the highest volume of travellers will be Friday 31 August. 2.76 million passengers are expected to fly on board of flights operated by American carriers over the day. Reaching 2.6 and 2.58 million passengers, 30 August and 3 September should break records as well.
To accommodate the expected 2.36 million daily passengers during the #LaborDay travel period, U.S. airlines are offering 2.76 million seats per day, an increase of 92,000 each day from last year’s holiday. https://t.co/UZQc7difRo pic.twitter.com/UpgYreDDmE
— Airlines for America (@AirlinesDotOrg) August 29, 2018
“2018 has been an exceptionally busy year for air travel, with 20 out of the 25 busiest days ever recorded by the Transportation Security Administration occurring so far this year,” Heimlich continued.
“Record numbers of travellers are taking to the skies in large part due to widespread affordability, with inflation-adjusted fares in the first quarter of 2018 averaging 8 per cent, or $30, below Q1 2010.”
