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US airlines gear up for record number of passengers this spring

U.S. airlines will carry a record number of passengers this spring as heightened competition and lower fares make flying more accessible to travelers, the trade association Airlines for America said in its latest forecast.

The trade group said that it expects 150.7 million passengers around the world will fly on U.S. carriers from March 1 to April 30, a 4% increase year over year. This level would represent an additional 94,000 additional passengers per day. To prepare for the influx, airlines are adding 114,000 seats per day across their networks.

Competition between U.S. city pairs has intensified with an average of 3.53 airlines on itineraries flown by domestic passengers compared to an average of 3.33 in 2000. Smaller carriers have been expanding the fastest as price-sensitive consumers increase demand. The expansion of low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers is prompting more established airlines to offer basic economy products to satisfy the growing demand for no-frills fares.

"Travelers are taking to the skies this spring in record numbers, thanks to persistently low fares, unsurpassed levels of investment in the product, increasing competition, and unprecedented access for passengers of all regions, age groups, and income levels," said John Heimlich, president and chief economist at Airlines for America. "An expanding economy, employment gains and surging household net worth are also contributing to the growth in demand for air travel. There has never been a better time to fly, as evidenced by the record number of 151 million flyers expected to travel this spring."