P.M. Briefing : U.S., Canadian Airlines Flying High on Rising North Atlantic Traffic

Passenger air traffic on North Atlantic routes increased 9.3% to 28.2 million last year with American and Canadian airlines benefiting the most, the International Air Transport Assn. reported today.

The North Atlantic is the world’s busiest route area and accounts for 12% of all international passengers and 22% of traffic revenue, the association said.

“The eight U.S. airlines operating scheduled services on the North Atlantic route made particular efforts last year,” IATA Director General Guenther Eser said. “They gained passenger market share at the expense of the Europeans and now have about 50% of the traffic.”

“Similarly, on routes to and from Canada, the Europeans lost ground,” Eser said. “The four Canadian carriers controlled 50% of the market, leaving the rest to be shared between 19 other airlines.”