Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Faces Passenger and Cargo Decline in May 2025

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has reported a downturn in passenger traffic this past May, indicating a decline in both passenger and cargo operations compared to the previous year's statistics. According to the City of Austin's recent release, passenger activity experienced a 6.43% drop with 1,935,429 passengers flying during the month, marking a stark contrast to the higher numbers seen in May 2024.

Several airlines saw considerable fluctuations in their passenger counts. Southwest Airlines saw the number of travelers fall by 8.7%, while Delta Air Lines bucked the trend with a 5.4% increase. American Airlines encountered a significant downturn with passenger numbers decreasing by 21.7%. Conversely, looking at Frontier Airlines, a dramatic 146.7% surge was reported in their May 2025 passenger volume. Notably, British Airways and Aeromexico also posted increases of 42.7% and 55.7%, respectively.

May's air cargo did not fare much better. The figures showed an overall 11.66% decrease to 23,353,261 lbs. However, a silver lining appeared in the form of international air cargo, which actually rose by 17.20% to a total of 2,337,814 lbs. Air Transport International notably carried the heaviest load with an increase of 26.8%, while Federal Express experienced a significant slump with a 46.6% decrease.

Aircraft operations for the month were somewhat steady, with General Aviation operations eking out a 0.58% gain. However, combined operations, which include the commercial and military flights, slightly dipped by 0.80%. A broader scope from January to May 2025 mirrors this narrative of decline, with total passenger traffic down by 5.61% and an overall decrease in air cargo by 10.12%. During this period, Federal Express’s troubles continued, carrying a 42.1% lesser cargo volume, while United Parcel Services held their ground, posting a 5.9% increase.

The five-month stretch also highlighted certain airlines that either soared or stumbled. Frontier Airlines made an impressive 256.5% leap in passenger count, and VivaAerobus rose by 159.3%. On the opposite end, Allegiant Air and JetBlue Airways grappled with significant decreases of 43.5% and 64.7%, respectively. General Aviation operations across these months were down by 1.17%, with combined operations falling by 1.84%. These statistics offer an insight into the ever-changing landscape of air travel and transport, shedding light on both the winners and those facing challenges in the aviation sector.