Continued growth in revenue for US airlines in February 2011

Passenger revenue, based on a sample group of US carriers, increased by 13% last month compared with the same month in 2010. Miles flown by paying passengers rose by 2.1% while the average price to fly one mile was 10.8% higher than a year ago.

On international services passenger revenue grew 17%, while in the domestic market revenue was up 11.5%.

These figures are compiled by ATA, the US airline industry trade organisation, based on data provided by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways, including data for Air Midwest, Air Wisconsin, Allegheny, American Eagle, Atlantic Coast, Atlantic Southeast, Chautauqua, Comair, Continental Express, Executive, Freedom, Horizon, Mesa, Mesaba, Piedmont, Pinnacle, PSA, Shuttle America, SkyWest and Trans States.

ATA vice president and chief economist John Heimlich said that the February revenue growth came despite severe winter storms during the month, reflecting a strengthening economy and pricing environment. However, he warned that US airlines may see a more challenging revenue environment in the future as fuel prices remain at or near historically high levels.

Cargo data for February 2011 is not yet available, but in January a sample of US airlines saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, increase by 5% year-on-year. On domestic services within the US cargo traffic decreased by 2.7% but this was offset by an 11.0% increase internationally.

The cargo data is based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, UPS and US Airways.

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