Source: BTS
The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics figures covering 21 airlines carrying more than 90 percent of passengers were up 21 percent overall compared to May.
They were also a long way from the 3 million passengers carried in April 2020, the lowest figures monthly figure in BTS records dating back to 1974.
The figures come as airlines in the US and elsewhere have recently taken a more optimistic tone about travel markets.
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian was bullish last month about his carrier’s prospects, pointing to momentum in domestic leisure demand and yields as well as “clear signs of business international demand recovery” into fall.
JetBlue forged ahead with Airbus A321LR services between New York and London as newcomer Norse Atlantic Airways planned to launch trans-Atlantic flights to New York and Florida.
Alaska Airlines announced this week that it was accelerating its fleet renewal by converting 12 Boeing 737 MAX options after strong second-quarter earnings.
Dubai-based Emirates plans to restore capacity to 29 cities across its network as travel demand rises in response to eased COVID restrictions in some regions.
In Europe, low-cost giant Ryanair announced in July it would boost seats in the market as bookings picked up as rival Wizz Air revealed plans to return capacity to pre-COVID levels.
British Airways earlier this month reopened its flagship US lounge as bookings to America surged by 95 percent due to eased UK COVID restrictions for fully-vaccinated international travelers.
Air France-KLM is adding long-haul routes and chief financial officer Steven Zaat said second-quarter ticket sales as “fantastic” with load factors on North Atlantic running at 60 percent after the European Union opened to American visitors.
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