U.S. International Travel Abroad Flat in November 2009

The U.S. outbound nonstop air market totaled 2.8 million in November 2009, about the same as levels of a year ago. After four straight months of increases in U.S. air travel abroad, November 2009 showed a slight decrease of 0.4 percent.

During the first 11 months of 2009, the U.S. outbound air market has decreased four percent compared to the same period in 2008. However, it is up from an eight percent year-to-date decline in June 2009.

U.S. spending in November 2009 by U.S. travelers on foreign carrier passenger fares totaled $2.1 billion, down 26 percent compared to November 2008. During the first 11 months of 2009, spending by U.S. travelers on air and vessel transportation decreased 22 percent to $23.4 billion.

Since passenger fare receipts (foreign travelers on U. S. carriers), declined by 14 percent for the year, the balance of trade for passenger fares increased to a $1.6 billion surplus.