Spring Travel Season could see US Airlines witness Highest Passenger Numbers in 7 Years

Rising employment and personal incomes may make the spring travel season for the US airlines the best one. It could see maximum passenger numbers in seven years, said industry group Airlines of America.

It is said that around 134. 8 million passengers or around 2.2 million people per day are expected to fly in March and April. If the projections for 2015 turn out to be true then it would be a 2% boost from the 132.2 million people who flew on US airlines in the same period last year.

John Heimlich, Airlines for America vice-president and chief economist, was of the view that two factors, firstly, high consumer sentiment and secondly, the continued affordability of air travel, may add to a busy travel season.

Airlines for America said that the number of passengers travelling this spring is expected to be the highest in seven and just little less than the record set in 2007, before the economic collapse took place.

As per the Department of Transportation statistics, airplanes have been flying almost 84.6% full last year through November. In order to meet the extra demand, airlines are adding 3% capacity per day in March and April.

Heimlich said to meet the extra need, airlines are adding seats and they are also deploying new and larger aircraft on many routes. Additional passengers are the result of drop in fuel prices. The Transportation Department said that aviation fuel dropped to $1.97 per gallon in January from $3.04 per gallon a year earlier.

"After four years of $100-per-barrel oil, the recent dip in the price of jet fuel is finally giving the carriers some breathing room to reinvest in the product, reward employees and shareholders, and reduce debt, all while boosting capacity", Heimlich.