The Air Transport Association (ATA) reported that systemwide revenue passenger miles (RPMs) declined 8.2 percent in August, versus the same month in 2001. Domestic revenue passenger miles declined 7.3 percent and international RPMs decreased 10.6 percent. Revenue passenger mile is the industry term used to quantify the volume of business; one RPM equals one fare-paying passenger transported one mile. Systemwide passenger enplanements fell 10.2 percent in August, declining 10.7 percent domestically and 5.3 percent internationally.

“The U.S. airline industry made little progress toward economic recovery over the summer travel season, which is traditionally the strongest growth period of the year,” stated ATA Chief Economist David Swierenga. “A sluggish economy and lingering frustration with the airport security experience continues to contribute to stagnation in air travel growth.”

The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. is the trade association for leading U.S. airlines. ATA members transport over 95 percent of all the passenger and cargo traffic in the United States.

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