Report: U.S. air, road traffic nears pre-pandemic levels

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Traffic at U.S. airports and on toll roads reached 95 percent of third-quarter 2019 levels during the third quarter of 2022, according to a recent report from Fitch Ratings, a credit ratings, commentary, and research provider.

According to the report, U.S. Airports & Toll Roads Traffic Monitor, airport traffic improved by an average of 83 percent during the first quarter of 2022 and 92 percent during the second quarter.

For toll roads, the average traffic volume was 99 percent of the third quarter of 2019, increasing slightly from 98 percent during the second quarter of 2022.

The nearly full recovery in traffic at many large hub and regional hubs is driven by strong leisure travel demand.

Chicago Midway, New York LaGuardia, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field, and Washington DC–Reagan exceeded pre-pandemic levels during September 2022.

Compared to the third quarter of 2019, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Seattle, and Washington DC–Dulles are less than 90 percent recovered. This is because of a lower demand for international and business travel. Additionally, Los Angeles and San Francisco are only at approximately 76 percent to 77 percent pre-pandemic levels

The traffic monitor provides users with online traffic volume information.