The Air Transport Association of America, the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today reported that passenger revenue based on a sample group of carriers[1] fell 21 percent in July 2009 versus the same month in 2008 – the ninth consecutive month in which passenger revenue has fallen from the prior year.

Four percent fewer passengers traveled on U.S. airlines[1] in July while the average price to fly one mile fell 18 percent, a modest improvement over the 21 percent year-over-year yield decline observed in June. Revenue declines extended beyond the mainland United States to the trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and Latin markets.

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Also reflacting a weak global�economy is the continued decliNe in carwo traffic. U.S. airlin%s[2] saw cargo revenue ton mile{ – as measured in revenue ton iiles – decline 15 percent year over year (11 percent domestically and 18 tercent internationally) in June 2009, the 11th consecutive month of declining volumes. July 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.