BTS 21-02
Monday, August 5, 2002
Contact: David Smallen
Tel: (202) 366-5568
BTS Indicators
Report Shows International Air Travel Decline
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics
(BTS) today released its monthly Transportation Indicators report showing that enplanements on
international flights by large U.S. carriers decreased by 14 percent in April
compared to a year earlier.
The 4.4 million international passengers on U.S. carriers
in April were the fewest of any April since 1996.
In April 2001, 5.2 million international passengers flew on U.S.
carriers.
April was the first month since October that there were fewer international passengers than the previous month. International traffic had increased each month since October, the first full month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The number of passengers declined to a 10-year low of 3.1
million in October. More
international passengers returned each month, reaching a peak of 4.9 million in
March before dropping back to 4.4 million in April.
There were also 16 percent fewer revenue passenger-miles on
international flights by large U.S. carriers in April 2002 compared to April of
last year.
The BTS Transportation Indicators report is a monthly update of critical
transportation information that details the impact of transportation on the
nation’s economy and society.
Transportation Indicators provides information on more than 300 trends in the areas of safety, mobility, economic growth, the human and natural environment, and national security. The monthly report, which is available at www.bts.gov, provides information to address specific transportation issues and to assist in the effort led by BTS to make transportation information more accurate, reliable and timely. Updated reports will be available on the BTS website at the end of every month.
Other trends highlighted in this month’s report are:
· There were 10 percent fewer revenue passenger-miles on large domestic air carriers in April than in April 2001. Revenue ton-miles were down by nearly 3 percent.
·
There were nearly 11 percent fewer revenue enplanements on
domestic airlines in April — just under 46.5 million compared to 52 million in
April of last year.
· Preliminary 2001 estimates show carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector, which first surpassed industrial sector emissions in 1998, continue to increase — up 3 million metric tons of carbon equivalent or 0.6 percent from 2000. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide emissions from industry continue to drop — down 43 million metric tons of carbon equivalent or 9.2 percent from 2000. Preliminary estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from the commercial sector show a 6 percent increase.
·
The underlying trend for highway hazardous materials incidents
indicates a decline in incidents after September 2001. Because the 2001 data are
still preliminary, the final data may show a change in this decline.
·
The underlying trend for public transit ridership shows a decline
in ridership since September 2001.
· U.S. international container traffic decreased 32 percent in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001, to the lowest level since 1994.
·
Motor vehicle insurance costs rose 9 percent in the past year.
· Producer prices for crude petroleum declined 18 percent while producer prices for petroleum products declined 16 percent in June compared to June 2001.
·
Producer prices for water transportation increased 4 percent in
June over June 2001. The nearly 3
percent increase in producer prices for freight railroad transportation over the
12 months ending in June was the second largest increase for this series in the
10 years tracked by this report.
·
Producer prices for passenger rail transportation rose 6 percent
in June compared to June 2001.
·
Average hourly earnings of water transportation services workers
increased 8 percent (in current dollars) in May over May 2001. Earnings have
increased 21 percent since May 1999.
·
Transportation industry income was up 2 percent, at a seasonally
adjusted rate, in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the fourth quarter of
2001. However, when compared with the first quarter of 2001, it was down 7
percent.
·
After falling 19 percent from June 2000 to September 2001,
manufacturers’ new orders rose in May for the third straight month, improving
prospects for increased freight business.
·
Private investment in transportation equipment declined 7 percent
(in current dollars) in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the same quarter
last year.
·
After falling 7 percent from June 2000 to December 2001,
industrial production rose in June for the sixth straight month.
·
Production of consumer light trucks rose 4 percent in May.
·
Production of aircraft and parts has fallen nearly 30 percent
since March 2001. Industrial capacity utilization in the aerospace and other
equipment industry has fallen to 60 percent, the lowest level since 1995.
· May fuel costs for scheduled large domestic carriers were 70 cents a gallon, down 8 cents from May 2001.
· Transportation energy consumption declined 3 percent in March compared to March 2001.
· Net petroleum imports declined 6 percent in May compared to May 2001.
Continual updating of information on trends will help in
developing forecasts for the future, both within the department and outside.
The monthly report will also help transportation decision-makers spot
changes that might require rapid action.
The statistical significance of these statements has not been tested. BTS is testing a statistical monitoring process in order to apply statistical quality control techniques to the Indicators data.
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