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Airline Traffic Data

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U.S. International Air Cargo Fell 6% in August 2020 from August 2019 while U.S.-Asia Cargo Rose 11% (Preliminary)

U.S. and foreign airlines carried 5.9% less cargo by weight (preliminary) between the U.S. and foreign points in August 2020 than in August 2019, despite a 10.5% rise in cargo between the U.S. and Asia, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 33 large air carriers. The decline in August was larger than the 3.8% (revised) drop from July 2019 to July 2020.

 

 

July 2020 U.S. Airline Traffic Data

U.S. airlines carried 21.2 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in July 2020, seasonally-adjusted, up 37.5% from June. BTS reported 20.3 million domestic passengers and 0.9 million international passengers on U.S. airlines flights in July.

U.S. Airlines Carried 6% More Cargo in August 2020 than August 2019

U.S. airlines carried 6% more cargo by weight in August 2020 (preliminary) than in August 2019. The rise was fueled by a gain of 8% in domestic cargo with a 1% rise in international cargo, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 13 of the leading cargo airlines.

 

The 13 airlines carry 95% 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 August 2020 Passengers Decreased 70% from August 2019 but Rose 2% from July 2020 (Preliminary)

U.S. airlines carried 70% fewer scheduled service passengers in August 2020 than in August 2019, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 21 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 2% more passengers in August 2020 than in July 2020.

 

The 70% decline from August 2019 was the smallest annual decrease since March.

U.S. International Air Cargo Rose Slightly in July 2020 from July 2019 (Preliminary)

 

U.S. and foreign airlines carried 0.4% more cargo by weight between the U.S. and foreign points in July 2020 than in July 2019, including a 19% rise in cargo between the U.S. and Asia, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by large air carriers. July’s 0.4% increase followed year-over-year decreases in March (down 17%), April (down 16%), May (down 14%) and June (down 10%).