TI News: An information service from Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI)

June 15, 2010

U.S. INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL ABROAD UP SIX PERCENT IN MARCH 2010 ⁽¹⁾

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the U.S. outbound non-stop air passenger market totaled 3.3 million in March 2010, increasing six percent compared to March 2009. Top outbound markets were Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Asia. Air travel was up to all international markets except Mexico which was flat compared to March 2009. Double-digit increases were posted by the Caribbean, Asia, Canada, Middle East, Oceania and Africa.

In the first three months of 2010, the outbound air market increased three percent when compared to the same period in 2009, reaching 8.6 million. From July 2009, U.S. air travel abroad has registered month-over-month increases in eight of nine months. In the first three months of 2010, positive growth occurred in five of the eight overseas regions, with Oceania, the Middle East and Africa posting double-digit increases. Outbound travel to Canada was up five percent but down two percent to Mexico.

U.S. spending in March 2010 by U.S. travelers on foreign carrier passenger fares totaled $2.3 billion, up eight percent compared to March 2009. For the month, the balance of trade for passenger fares was a $3 million deficit.

Highlights: U.S. Citizen Air Traffic to Overseas Regions, Canada & Mexico

• Overseas markets increased seven percent in March and five percent year to date.
• Europe grew one percent for the month but decreased one percent for the year.
• Asia grew 13 percent for the month and was up nine percent year to date.
• Canada increased 11 percent for the month and grew five percent for the year.
• The Caribbean increased 11 percent in March and increased six percent year to date.
• For the month, air traffic to Mexico was flat. For the year, air traffic to Mexico decreased two percent.
• South America was up three percent for the month but flat year to date.
• Central America was up two percent for the month but down one percent year to date.
• The Middle East was up 44 percent in March and 38 percent for the year.
• Oceania increased 11 percent for the month and 15 percent year to date.
• Africa increased 18 percent for the month and 16 percent for the year.

Background
Industry & Analysis’ Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) collects, analyzes and disseminates international travel and tourism statistics for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Statistical System. To view the OTTI U.S. departure data tables that provide monthly estimates of U.S. air travel abroad by world region and the rate of change each month and year-to-date, please visit: <http://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2010-O-001/index.html>.

For more detail information on the U.S. international travel abroad research program, please visit: <http://travel.trade.gov/research/programs/i92/index.html>.

U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI)
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 1003
Washington, D.C. 20230
Phone:(202) 482-0140; Fax: (202) 482-2887
Website: <www.travel.trade.gov>
Email: Otti@trade.gov

¹ Throughout this report, percent changes posted for U.S. air travelers for March 2010 were calculated by comparing data in March 2010 to data in March 2009. Also, percent changes posted for year to date 2010 were calculated by comparing data January – March 2010 to data January – March 2009.