Passenger revenue at U.S. airlines rose for the fourth straight month in April on higher prices, providing further evidence of recovery, the trade group for the U.S. industry said on Friday.
The Air Transport Association of America said passenger revenue was up 12.5 percent in April. The average price to fly one mile on U.S. carriers rose nearly 14 percent in the month, while about 0.5 percent more passengers traveled on the airlines, the group added.
International passenger revenue for U.S. airlines was up 15 percent in April, helped by a 37 percent rise in transpacific markets.
The ATA revenue figures are based on data reported to the group by major carriers including Delta Air Lines, AMR Corp's American; UAL Corp's United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc, which plan to merge; as well as regional airlines.
The Washington-based trade group also said cargo traffic at U.S. airlines rose 22 percent in March 2010 from a year earlier, aided by increased international trade.
Major U.S. airlines were higher in trading on Friday, with the Arca Airline index up about 3 percent. Delta, AMR, US Airways Group and UAL were up around 5 percent, while Continental was up 4.4 percent.
