Airlines expect a record 145 million passengers this spring

WASHINGTON – Airlines expect a record number of 145 million spring travelers to fly from March 1 through April 30.

That total – an average of 2.4 million passengers per day – would represent a 4% increase from the 140 million travelers last year, according to Airlines for America, a trade group representing most of the largest carriers.

Airlines are adding 110,000 seats per day to accommodate an additional 89,000 daily passengers, according to the group.

“With spring weather on the horizon, consumers are eager to travel and airlines are more than ready to accommodate the growth expected this year with additional seats, new aircraft and increases in staffing,” said John Heimlich, the airline group’s chief economist.

The projections for continued growth come days after the Transportation Department announced that U.S. airlines carried a record number of 823 million passengers last year. The feat marked steady growth since the 2008 recession and marked the first time airlines topped 800 million passengers. Thanksgiving and December holiday travel each set records.

IN PICTURES: 30 cool aviation photos (story continues below)

February route roundup: Where airlines are adding service

U.S. and foreign airlines added 37 nonstop routes last year at U.S. airports, according to the trade group. The increase reflected the addition of 198 new routes and scrapping 161 routes.

Already this year, travelers have 17 new routes, after airlines added 151 routes and dropped 134, according to the trade group.

Those expansions will bring at least 0.5% more seats to 176 small and non-hub airports by the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2015, according to airlines. Large and medium-sized airports will see seat growth of 8% and 12.2% respectively, according to airlines.

“Airlines recognize how important flight availability is to their customers and are working to benefit the millions of daily passengers they serve with expanded routes and more seat supply,” Heimlich said.

TODAY IN THE SKY: Boeing's centennial: A look into the photo archives

IN PICTURES: 30 (more) cool aviation photos