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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Airline Traffic Data

Legacy ID
321
Show Effective Date
On
Significant Regulatory Guidance
No

Annual Rise in U.S. Airlines May Domestic Cargo (Almost 5%) Largest Increase Since July 2019

U.S. airlines carried 4.7% more domestic cargo by weight in May 2020 than in May 2019, the largest annual gain since July 2019 while the 8.4% decline in international cargo was the smallest annual loss since February, according to preliminary data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 15 of the leading cargo airlines.

 

The 15 airlines carry more than 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.

April 2020 U.S. Airline Traffic Data

U.S. airlines carried 2.9 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in April 2020, seasonally-adjusted, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS), down 92.2% from March.

 

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is withholding the scheduled release of estimated U.S. airlines’ traffic data for May and June because the estimates are statistical forecasts based on previous trends. The estimates do not account for the impact of the coronavirus.

Air Traffic Data, May 2020: 89% Reduction in U.S. Airline Passengers from May 2019 (Preliminary)

U.S. airlines carried 89% fewer scheduled service passengers in May 2020 than in May 2019, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 20 airlines that carry more than 90% of the passengers. Despite the large drop from May 2019, U.S. airlines carried more than twice as many passengers in May 2020 than in April 2020.

 

The 89% decline in the number of passengers would be the second largest year-to-year decrease following the 96% decline from April 2019 to April 2020.

April 2020 U.S. Airlines Cargo (Preliminary): International Shipments Down 15%

U.S. airlines carried 1.3% less cargo by weight in April 2020 than in April 2019 with a 15% decline in international cargo, according to preliminary data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 15 of the leading cargo airlines.

 

The 15 airlines carry more than 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.