In a clear sign that the US public is coming back to air travel, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has revealed that this week was the best for passenger throughput since last March. While this is a positive sign, the passenger traffic is still around 40% lower than 2019. The current traffic level are still significantly below the breakeven point for the US airlines.
Experts forecast a return to travel as more states lift restrictions and larger share of the US population is vaccinated. However experts still see a return to the 2019 baseline only in the 2023 timeframe.
The recovery will hinge on short-haul travel, mainly domestic or continental routes. The return to the 2019 international passenger numbers is a more complex issue that will delay that market recovery.