Credit: The Points Guy

The airline is hoping to recoup their business this summer.

As more of the U.S. makes an attempt at reopening from the pandemic closures, one particular industry that is eager to get back on its feet is air travel. According to statistics from the Transportation Security Administration, recorded screenings for passengers and crew members have dropped over 85% compared to this time last year, and all carriers big and small are feeling the squeeze.

With reopenings in progress, however, many people are once again eager to travel, both for business and pleasure. American Airlines, one of the four largest carriers in the U.S., has seen an exponential increase in bookings over the last two months, with an average of 32,154 passengers a day in April jumping to 110,330 a day at the end of May. To this end, American Airlines has announced a planned increase in flights for the summer to accommodate the increased demand, with 55% of their planned flights given the go-ahead.

“We’re seeing a slow but steady rise in domestic demand. After a careful review of the data, we’ve built a July schedule to match,” Vasu Raja, senior vice president of network strategy for American Airlines, said in the announcement.

Credit: Skift

American Airlines isn’t alone in their desire to get back to business. The other three largest U.S. carriers, United, Delta, and Southwest, have all pledged to boost their planned flights by 27% over the next month and into the summer season. This growth, however, is mostly limited to domestic flights, as many flight paths between countries remain closed in the interest of public health.

According to the OAG, an organization that keeps tabs on the airline industry, things are on the path to a potential recovery, though not without caveats. “The industry is showing some signs of recovery, but there are noticeable changes in consumer behavior,” said John Grant, OAG’s senior aviation analyst. “People are booking later, seeking more flexibility in their travel bookings and not committing to payment until the last minute.”