Business · Economy · 11 hrs ago
Air travel falls in the US as fares rise and travellers worry
US airports handled 6.5 million fewer travellers from January 1 to November 5, 2026, than in the same period a year earlier.
The 0.85% drop came despite expectations that passenger numbers would grow by 4% to 6%, and the total was also below 2024.
Higher ticket prices are one factor, alongside concerns about the economy and tensions in the Middle East.
The conflict in the Persian Gulf and rising jet fuel costs contributed to losses that erased the gains recorded earlier in the year.
US fares rose 27% in July and August, when airport passenger numbers fell most sharply.
European airlines are also slowing, with Lufthansa Group reporting 2% fewer passengers in the summer quarter.
Airlines, especially in the United States, are responding by focusing more on premium customers willing to pay for higher-end seats.
US airport passenger numbers were down about 6.5 million in the first 11 months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
The decline was 0.85%, despite forecasts for passenger growth of 4% to 6%.
Passenger numbers fell as airfares rose, with fares up 27% in July and August, the period of the sharpest traffic decline.
The article links travellers’ concerns to the cost of living, tensions in the Middle East and higher jet fuel prices.
Major airlines, particularly in the US, are responding by focusing more on premium travellers.
- Who
- Travellers in the United States are flying less. Airlines are shifting their focus towards premium passengers.
- What
- US airport passenger numbers fell as fares rose. The article also reports a slowdown or decline at major European airlines.
- When
- From January 1 to November 5, 2026. Fares rose 27% in July and August.
- Where
- Airports in the United States, with declines also reported in Europe.
- Why
- Travellers are concerned about higher living costs, Middle East tensions and rising airfares. The article also cites higher jet fuel prices.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
US passenger numbers built up a cumulative lead of more than 3.1 million over the previous year.
Passenger losses progressively used up the earlier lead amid the Gulf conflict and higher jet fuel prices.
The year-to-date US passenger total fell below the previous year, by 125,954 passengers.
US airfares rose 27% as airport traffic recorded its sharpest decline.
US passenger numbers were down 4.4%, the worst monthly result reported so far.
US airports handled just over 762.4 million passengers, about 6.5 million fewer than in the same period of 2025.
- US airport passengers, Jan. 1–Nov. 5, 2026
- Just over 762.4 million
- Year-on-year passenger change
- About 6.5 million fewer; down 0.85%
- Expected passenger growth
- 4% to 6%
- Fare increase, July–August
- 27%
- Lowest monthly passenger result reported
- August: down 4.4%