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.
Airline Traffic Data
Legacy ID
321
Show Effective Date
On
Significant Regulatory Guidance
No
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%).
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.
Air Cargo Down 11% Between the U.S. and Foreign Points, May 2020 (Preliminary)
U.S. and foreign airlines carried 11% less cargo by weight between the U.S. and foreign points in May 2020 than in May 2019, including a 40% decline in cargo between the U.S. and Europe, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by large air carriers. May’s decline was smaller than decreases in March (down 17%) and April (down 16%).
May 2020 (preliminary) cargo numbers to and from the U.S. by world geographic areas (by weight):
- Total to and from the U.S.: 735 thousand tons, down 10.7% from May 2019 (823T tons)
- Europe: 122 thousand tons, down 40.4% from May 2019 (204T tons)
- Latin America: 90 thousand tons, down 17.3% from May 2019 (109T tons)
- Asia (including China): 392 thousand tons, up 10.3% from May 2019 (356T tons)
- China: 85 thousand tons, down 2.9% from May 2019 (87T tons)
- Canada: 22 thousand tons, down 9.4% from May 2019 (24T tons)
The total to and from the U.S. includes world areas that are not shown separately.
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.