Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Climate Change

We’re Not Just Driving Less — We’re Also Flying Less

The U.S. Department of Transportation's statistical arm today released its latest tally of airline travel, showing that the number of nationwide plane passengers has decreased from the previous year for a record 13 straight months.

airline.jpgThis is a view fewer Americans are seeing lately. (Photo: ETF Trends)

The DOT found that U.S. airline flights, both domestic and international, had 61 million scheduled passengers in March. That amounts to a drop of 6.1 million -- or 9.1 percent -- compared with March 2008. The number of international passengers on U.S. airlines fell by 12.3 percent, the largest drop since the fall of 2001.

Airlines in Canada and Europe are preparing to see similar declines in passenger traffic, which is sure to send the industry into a tizzy. But the decline in air travel, much like the decline in vehicle miles traveled, also could be an environmental boon given the high per-passenger emissions rate for plane riders.

What do readers think: Is the decline in plane travel a sign of economic distress, or a dose of tough medicine for airlines that should be adjusting schedules to meet consumer demand?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Traveling Without the Car

City Nerd focuses on the cities where it's easiest to get into town without a car.

December 20, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

It's pretty clear that bike- and scooter-shares reduce car trips, but it may be time to consider a subsidized or nonprofit model for car-shares as well.

December 20, 2024

Inside California’s Messy E-Bike Voucher Launch

Over 100,000 Californians tried to grab 1,500 e-bike vouchers in less than an hour. But does that mean the launch was bungled?

December 19, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Indianapolis’s Blossoming BRT Network

Austin Gibble on bus rapid transit and cycling in Indiana's capital city.

December 19, 2024
See all posts