Air travel on Thanksgiving is expected to reach record levels, airlines say

U.S. airlines are anticipating another record travel period for the Thanksgiving holiday, and are optimistic now that the government shutdown that has crippled travel is over.

Airlines will transport more than 31 million people between Friday, November 21, and Monday, December 1, Airlines for America, a lobbying group representing the largest US airlines, predicted on Thursday. The busiest day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with about 3.4 million people traveling, followed by the Monday after Thanksgiving, with about 3.1 million people traveling.

Airline executives expressed relief after the longest government shutdown ever ended on November 12. The shortage of air traffic controllers, who were required to work without their regular salaries, led to flight delays and cancellations, disrupting travel plans for about 6 million people, A4A said.

The industry is now pressing lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure air traffic controllers are paid in the event of another shutdown, with executives complaining in recent weeks that air travel has become a political bargaining chip. The latest bill only funds the government through January, so industry members hope to avoid a repeat of the shutdown before the start of the winter break and spring break season.

Bank of America estimated that large carriers in the network could see operating income of $150 million to $200 million and that smaller carriers would see a $100 million impact due to the shutdown, but the airlines have not yet come out with revised estimates.

Some travelers appeared to be waiting for the lockdown to end before booking their travel.

United Airlines The company said bookings between November 15 and 16 rose 16% compared to the previous weekend, when air travel disruptions increased.

The company also said international flight bookings reached a record high over the holiday period, up 10% compared to last year, with Cancun, Mexico, and major European hubs London and Frankfurt, Germany, among the top destinations.

Overall, United expects to carry 6.6 million customers between Nov. 20 and Dec. 2, an increase of more than 4% from a year ago.

International capacity for the largest US airlines rose about 5% between November 26 and 30 compared with the same period last year, according to aviation data company Cirium, while domestic capacity rose about 2%.

American Airlines It said it plans to operate 80,759 flights from November 20 to December 2, the most of any airline.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period is one of the most intense and critical periods for our customers – the stakes are high, and the American team is ready to deliver,” David Seymour, the US company’s chief operating officer, said in a press release.

However, not all airlines have enhanced their schedules. Budget airline Spirit Airlines, which is experiencing its second bankruptcy in less than a year, has reduced capacity and furloughed hundreds of pilots to cut costs as it seeks to find a firmer financial footing.

Cirium data shows Spirit’s domestic flying capacity fell by nearly 40% compared to the previous year.