Source: US DOT The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released U.S. airlines’ May 2024 fuel cost and consumption numbers indicating U.S. scheduled service airlines used 1.646 billion gallons of fuel, 5.1% more fuel than in April 2024 (1.567 billion gallons) and 4.0% more than in pre-pandemic May 2019. The cost per gallon of fuel in May 2024 ($2.65) was down 10 cents (3.8%) from April 2024 ($2.75) and up $0.53 (25.2%) from May 2019. Total May 2024 fuel expenditure ($4.36B) was up 1.1% from April 2024 ($4.31B) and up 30.2% from pre-pandemic May 2019. Year-over-year changes in fuel consumption and cost for May 2024 includes a 4.7% increase in domestic fuel consumption, a 13.1% increase in [...]

Source: TSA TSA screened record number of travelers; firearms detections nearly same    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which has screened higher passenger volumes this summer and a record-breaking 3 million passengers on Sunday, July 7, intercepted 3,269 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first half of 2024. The first half of the year ended June 30 and the total represents an average 19 firearms detected per day at TSA checkpoints; more than 94% were loaded. While the number of firearms discovered during this period last year is nearly the same at 3,251, the total number of passengers increased. TSA has screened nearly 7% more passengers during the first half of 2024 than during the same period in 2023. [...]

Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released data on the submissions (complaints, inquiries, and opinions) it has received from consumers about air travel for June-December 2023 and the full calendar year 2023. The submissions about air travel in calendar year 2023 are the highest number on record except for calendar year 2020. The release of the submissions data in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) was delayed primarily because of the high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints using the Department's outdated legacy consumer complaint application system. Over the past three years, complaints made [...]

Source: FAA FAA makes additional $1 billion available for Airport Terminal Program grants and announces nearly $290 million in awards for airport improvements, improving safety and efficiency. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing a seventh round of Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) totaling $289 million to 129 airports across 40 states, improving the safety and efficiency of air travel. The projects are funded under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's AIG program, part of the $25 billion in total funding for airport improvements such as terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements, and air traffic infrastructure improvements. "Americans are flying in record numbers, and the Biden-Harris Administration continues to invest in our airports to make travel [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 14.7% compared to May 2023 levels (15.5% for international operations). This is the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 6.7% compared to May 2023 (10.2% for international operations). "Air cargo demand moved sharply upwards in May across all regions. The sector benefitted from trade growth, booming e-commerce and capacity constraints on maritime shipping. The outlook remains largely positive with purchasing managers showing expectations for future growth. Some dampening, however, could come as the US imposes stricter conditions [...]