Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) released data showing ARC-accredited travel agencies experienced a 328% year-over-year increase in air ticket sales during August 2021. The consolidated dollar value of tickets sold by agencies in August totaled $3.2 billion, up from $715 million in August 2020 and down from $4 billion in July 2021.*

Month over month, August 2021 results showed:

• Total passenger trips fell by 10%.
• U.S. domestic trips decreased 10%.
• International trips decreased 10% for the second consecutive month.

“Airlines and travel agencies anticipated a drop in overall sales and passenger trips in August as new mandates and border restrictions began taking effect in July,” said Steve Solomon, vice president of global sales, marketing operations and customer experience at ARC. “Our data shows that decline beginning to level off toward the end of August. In the coming months, there will be some uncertainty and volatility as schools reopen, businesses delay return-to-office dates, and as countries introduce new travel restrictions.”

Total passenger trips settled by ARC in August 2021 increased 151% year over year, from 6 million to 15.2 million. U.S. domestic and international passenger trips increased 145% and 168% YOY, respectively. Overall, U.S. domestic passenger trips totaled 10.9 million and international trips totaled 4.3 million. The average U.S. round-trip ticket price increased to $398 in August 2021, up from $321 in August 2020.

Year over year, August 2021 EMD sales increased 249% to $6,364,223, while EMD transactions increased 265% to 129,684.**

More detailed information is available on ARC’s sales statistics page. Additional breakdown of corporate, leisure and online ticket sales can be found on the ARC COVID-19 data page.