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U.S. Airlines September 2020 Passengers Decreased 65% from September 2019 (Preliminary)

 

U.S. airlines carried 65% fewer scheduled service passengers in September 2020 than in September 2019 (preliminary), according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 23 airlines that carry more than 90% of the passengers. The 65% decline from September 2019 was the smallest annual decrease since March.

 

The large airlines carried 25.1 million passengers in September 2020 (preliminary), compared to 71.5 million passengers on all U.S. airlines in September 2019 and up from 3.0 million in April 2020, which was the lowest monthly total in BTS records dating back to 1974. The previous low was 14.6 million passengers in February 1975.

September 2020 Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.8% from August

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, rose 0.8% in September from August, rising after a one-month decline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS). From September 2019 to September 2020, the index fell 3.9% compared to a decline of 0.1% from September 2018 to September 2019 and a rise of 7.2% from September 2017 to September 2018 (Tables 1, 2, and 2A).

U.S. Airlines Carried 19% More Cargo in September 2020 than in September 2019

U.S. airlines carried 19% more cargo by weight in September 2020 (preliminary) than in September 2019. The rise was fueled by a gain of 22% in domestic cargo and a 10% rise in international cargo, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 15 of the leading U.S. cargo airlines.

 

The 15 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.