Aviation and Drones
May 2020 U.S. Airline Traffic Data
U.S. airlines carried 8.4 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in May 2020, unadjusted, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS), down 89.6% from May 2019.
Annual Rise in U.S. Airlines June Cargo (Over 9%) Largest Increase Since January 2018
U.S. airlines carried 9.4% more cargo by weight in June 2020 than in June 2019, the largest annual gain since January 2018 fueled by a gain of almost 14% in domestic cargo. A 3.6% decline in international cargo was the smallest annual loss since November 2019, according to preliminary data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 13 of the leading cargo airlines.
The 13 airlines carry more than 90% of the total cargo by weight on U.S. airlines. Cargo data consists of freight and mail carried within the U.S. and between the U.S. and foreign points.
U.S. Airline June 2020 Passengers Decrease 80% from June 2019 but Rise 93% from May 2020 (Preliminary)
U.S. airlines carried 80% fewer scheduled service passengers in June 2020 than in June 2019, according to preliminary data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 20 airlines that carry more than 90% of the passengers. Despite the large annual drop from pre-pandemic numbers a year earlier (see graphic), when compared to the previous month U.S. airlines carried almost twice as many passengers (93% more) in June 2020 than in May 2020.
The 80% decline was less than the annual decrease than in both April (96%) or May (90%).
Mid-June Airline Employment Up 2,000 from Mid-May
U.S. airlines employed 699,683 workers in the middle of June 2020, 2,446 more than in mid-May 2020 and 53,602 fewer than in March 2020. The June 2020 numbers consist of 508,688 full-time and 111,075 part-time workers.
U.S. Airlines June 2020 Fuel Use Up 25% from May
The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released U.S. airlines’ June Fuel Cost and Consumption numbers. June 2020 fuel consumption was 23% higher than May 2020 and 25% higher than April 2020, which was the lowest monthly fuel usage on record dating back to 2000.