Air Transport Association Expects 4 Percent Decline in Air Travel Over 12-Day Thanksgiving Holiday Period

Air Transport Association Expects 4 Percent Decline in Air Travel Over 12-Day
Thanksgiving Holiday Period

Fewer Passengers Expected Despite Deep Reductions in Ticket Prices

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association of
America (ATA), the industry trade association for the leading U.S. airlines,
today said that it expects a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in the number
of passengers(1) traveling on U.S. airlines during the 2009 Thanksgiving
holiday season(2), despite deep discounting over the past several months.

"It is increasingly apparent that the economic head winds facing the airlines
and their customers are anything but behind us. The recent announcement that
U.S. unemployment surpassed 10 percent highlights one of the key factors
impacting consumer buying decisions," said ATA President and CEO James C. May.

As typical with the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, flights are likely to
be quite full, driven this year by the decrease in available seats and deep
discounting, rather than by robust demand. Carriers have cut back their
schedules in response to economic pressures, with 2009 capacity reductions the
deepest since 1942. In addition, recently released government data show that
average domestic airfares in the second quarter of 2009 fell to their lowest
level since 1998, dropping 13 percent from the second quarter of 2008 - the
largest year-to-year decline on record.

Based on sample data from the Thanksgiving 2008 period, the four busiest
travel days surrounding Thanksgiving Day this year are expected to be Monday,
Nov. 30, Sunday, Nov. 29, Friday, Nov. 20 and Wednesday, Nov. 25,
respectively.

ATA is expecting the federal government once again to open up Special Activity
Airspace to help ease congestion.

May encouraged passengers to pack light, to check their flight status before
leaving for the airport, and to remember to arrive early.

"During this busy travel period especially, passengers should plan ahead and
provide plenty of time for airport check-in and security screening," said May.

In addition, ATA encourages passengers to consult its resource page for
recommended travel tips.

In particular, passengers are encouraged to keep in mind the following:

-- All passengers are strongly encouraged to review the Web site of the
airline on which they are flying for respective policies, amenities,
customer service plans and flight-operation alert notifications.
-- Remember that TSA requires that air travelers follow its 3-1-1 Rule
for
liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags when passing through
security checkpoints.

-- Passengers should be aware that they will be asked to provide their
date
of birth and gender when making a reservation, as part of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Secure Flight program.
Travelers should expect no change in the travel experience, however,
as
a result of this security initiative.

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

Notes:
(1) The total number of revenue passengers boarding aircraft in scheduled
service.
(2) Defined as Friday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Dec. 1.

SOURCE Air Transport Association

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