According to the Friday report published by Air Transport Association of America (ATA), US airlines will likely carry 7 percent fewer passengers during the June 1-August 31 period this year vis-à-vis the same period last year. 

The report said that nearly 150,000 fewer passengers will take the air-route each day during this year’s mentioned summer travel season – the quarter that is generally considered the airline industry’s most profitable quarter.

The Alaska Air Group Inc. – which owns Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air – has already reported that trends “show signs of weakness in demand,” and has mentioned the lesser advance bookings for the months of May and June.

Speaking specifically in terms passengers undertaking domestic and international travel during the aforesaid June-August quarter, nearly 171 million will travel domestically, compared to last year’s 183 million; and 24 million will travel internationally, compared to last year’s 26 million.

Talking about the fewer number of air-passengers expected, James C. May - President and CEO of ATA - said in a statement: “The main driver behind the anticipated drop in passengers traveling this summer is the ongoing global recession, which continues to crimp demand.” 

Nonetheless, despite the lesser number of passengers traveling by air, the flight will still remain crowded, as the downturn has forced many airlines to take planes out of commission!