IATA: U.S. Feb. Passengers Up 1.5% Amid Fuel Price Hike


   
Barani Krishnan
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) - Domestic air passenger demand in the United States grew 
1.5% year-on-year in February despite higher fuel and ticket costs, the 
International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported Tuesday (3/31).

   Carrier capacity in the United States also increased by 0.3% year-on-year in 
February, while the load factor reached 79.6% during the month, IATA stated.

   The broader North American passenger market grew 2.8% year-on-year last 
month while the global market expanded by 6.1%.

   The 1.5% growth in the U.S. domestic passenger volume followed a 0.7% 
year-on-year contraction for the same seen in January.

   That suggested resilience for the U.S. market as the IATA noted jet fuel 
prices rose sharply through February despite tight capacity and thin margins 
driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

   Higher fuel prices also pushed air fares up and forced airlines to adjust 
capacity deployment for traffic traveling through the Middle East or where fuel 
supply was an issue, IATA said.




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