The number of passengers passing through planes in 2010 is expected to decline again. The Boyd Group, a consulting firm in this industry, forecasts a decline of 74 million passengers relative to 2008 – down to 675 million next year. This means you’ll get a little more elbow room, as long as the airlines don’t respond with more route cuts. The fact that unemployment is likely to break the 10% level early next year isn’t helping, as people will be less likely to pick up a ticket and hit the road if they are worried about losing their jobs.
The year after is the one we’re all waiting for – the airline industry is expected to start to recover in 2011. It’s going to take a while, though. Even in 2014, there will be 16 million fewer passengers than there were in 2008.