The largest travel market in the world is moving even more than usual in 2024, with travel agencies in the US reporting record air ticket sales to start the year.
According to Airlines Reporting Corp (ARC), American travel agency air ticket sales hit an all-time high in January, reaching a whopping US$8.9 billion (around AU$13.6 billion) – the equivalent of nearly US$300 million (AU$450 million) a day, including taxes and fees.
This was a seven per cent increase on January 2023 and the highest January total ever recorded.
The ARC data shows there were 25.6 million passenger trips throughout the month, with an average fare of US$546 (AU$837) – for round-trip domestic flights.
Ancillary sales for the month grew a massive 37 per cent year on year to US$27.9 million (through a 39 per cent increase in transactions).
“January’s results represent a promising start to air travel in 2024 as we approach the first busy travel period,” ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said.
“We are already seeing a spike in ticket transactions to popular spring break destinations like Cancun, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
“Business travel also had a solid month with corporate travel agency settled trips increasing seven per cent year over year.”
The record spend on air travel continued into February, with ARC reporting another US$8.9 billion spent on tickets (up six per cent).
ARC data shows there were 25.6 million passenger trips throughout the month, with an average fare of US$573 (AU$878).
Like in January, ancillary sales surged, this time by 34 per cent y-o-y to US$29 million – through a massive 47 per cent rise in transactions.
ARC data shows the huge spike in air travel was driven by strong domestic travel demand.
“Americans continue to prioritise domestic travel in the early part of the year, with year-over-year trips to US destinations outpacing those of international trips,” Solomon said.
“Airlines are seeing robust demand from both corporate and leisure travellers, signalling the continued health and anticipated growth in air travel for 2024.”
Data is based on monthly sales reports from around 10,370 US retail and corporate travel agency locations, ticket printing offices and online travel agencies. Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines.
According to Tourism Research Australia, in June 2022, there were 8,647 travel agencies and tour operators based in Australia.
January sales
February sales
