Buried in the note from United Airlines to employees were a pair of startling statistics that demonstrate just how hard the airline industry has been hit by shrinking demand.
Sobering Statistics: Airlines Demand Is Down 97%
Just how much has travel demand fallen? Just how bad is the environment these days for airlines? United puts COVID-19 in context with two numbers:
United Airlines Sees 97% Drop in April 2024 Travelers
Is that crazy or what? Here we are halfway through April and United has averaged only about 14,000 travelers a day. Last April, United flew over 428,000 travelers per day over the same period. And this year we even had Easter over that period, which is usually a busier travel period.
The second stat puts this into even greater context. Last year United flew more people on a single day than it will the entire month year? W-O-W.
These “97% drop in demand” have been floating around, but these stats really put it into context.
CONCLUSION
This is a brutal time for the aviation industry so let me use this moment to say thank you to all the front-line workers and the behind-the-scenes workers who are working hard to keep America moving. I do not envy the uncertainty that must arise from the sobering realization that demand is simply not going to pick up anytime soon.
Hopefully the demand will resemble a “V” even if such forecasts seem foolishly optimistic at this point…
> Read More:A Somber Prognosis From United Airlines On The Future Of Aviation
I would be flying a lot. I’ve already had the virus. But United’s prices for my destinations are terrible. Give me a decent price and I’ll travel. Maybe they need to offer discounts for 1Ks for the next two months. They’ll see me in a seat every week.