U.S. Aviation System Experiences Record Passenger Numbers

Why it matters locally: Increased passenger volume and fewer flights nationally could lead to more crowded planes and potentially longer travel times for Alaskans traveling to and from the lower 48, impacting personal and business travel.

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U.S. airports and airlines are observing a record-setting summer travel period. Airlines are accommodating the largest volume of passengers in their history. This occurs while the total number of flights operated by these same airlines has decreased compared to levels seen two decades ago. This combination of increased passenger traffic and a reduced number of flights places increased demands on the U.S. aviation system.