WASHINGTON — U.S. airlines expect essentially flat passenger traffic during the holidays, a rather meek forecast for an industry nearing the end of a year marred by record delays and rising fuel costs.
Domestic airlines are expected to carry 47.2 million passengers globally during the three weeks that started Thursday and end Jan. 2, compared with 47 million last year and 46.8 million in 2005, according to the Air Transport Association of America.
Analysts said the flat forecast shows demand has eased a bit, prompting airlines to cut the number of flights offered.
The ATA, in releasing the forecast, didn’t echo that sentiment.
“Despite signs of slowing in the economy and sky-high energy prices, we expect to see another strong season of holiday air travel,” ATA President and Chief Executive James May said in a news release.
The four busiest days during the winter travel period are expected to be, Dec. 21, Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, with each averaging more than 2.5 million passengers. The ATA expects Christmas and Christmas Eve, each with an average of 1.9 million passengers, to be the least busy.
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