Air Transport Association Reports Decline in September Passenger Demand, August Cargo

Air Transport Association Reports Decline in September Passenger Demand,
August Cargo

Drop in Travelers Continues, Despite 10th Consecutive Month of Ticket Price
Reductions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association
of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S.
airlines, today reported that passenger revenue, based on a sample group of
carriers,[1] fell 19 percent in September 2009 versus the same month in 2008.
This marks the 11th consecutive month in which passenger revenue has declined
from the prior year, fueled primarily by the 10th consecutive month of ticket
price declines.

Just 2 percent fewer passengers traveled on U.S. airlines[1] in September, in
contrast to the 5 percent decline in August. The average price to fly one mile
fell 18 percent, slightly more than the 17 percent year-over-year decline in
August. Passenger revenue declines extended beyond the domestic United States
to the trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and Latin markets.

"The demand for air travel remains weak, as evidenced by the untenable pricing
environment. While other sectors may be seeing signs that the economy is
getting back on track, the airline industry has faced challenges in its effort
to generate revenue," said ATA President and CEO James C. May.

Also reflecting a weak global economy is the continued decline in cargo
traffic. U.S. airlines[2] saw cargo revenue ton miles decline 12 percent year
over year (11 percent domestically and 12 percent internationally) in August
2009, the 13th consecutive month of declining volumes. September 2009 cargo
data is not yet available.

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive $1.1 trillion in U.S. economic
activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines
operate nearly 28,000 flights in 80 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft
to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo.

ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all
U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information,
visit www.airlines.org.

[1] Based on data reported to ATA by Alaska, American, Continental (incl.
Micronesia), Delta (incl. NWA), JetBlue, United and US Airways; also includes
data for Air Midwest, Air Wisconsin, Allegheny, American Eagle, Atlantic
Coast, Atlantic Southeast, Chautauqua, Comair, Continental Express, Executive,
Freedom, Horizon, Mesa, Mesaba, MidAtlantic, Piedmont, Pinnacle, PSA, Shuttle
America, SkyWest and Trans States.

[2] Based on data reported to ATA by Aloha, Alaska, American, Continental,
Delta (incl. NWA), FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, Southwest, United, UPS
and US Airways.

SOURCE Air Transport Association

Elizabeth Merida, +1-202-626-4205, or Victoria Day, +1-202-626-4141, both of
the Air Transport Association