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Passenger traffic could set record this year

Monday, Nov. 15, 2004 | 10:56 a.m.

The U.S. airline industry, buoyed by the popularity of regional and discount carriers, is poised in 2004 to set a record for the most passengers.

Until now, industry economists had expected passenger traffic this year to be second to the pre-9/11 surge in 2000. But low fares, a diminished terrorism threat, more international travel and a favorable forecast for the holiday season have changed the consensus among industry trackers.

Barring an unforeseen calamity before Dec. 31, airlines this year will have flown 685 million passengers, estimates economist David Swierenga of consultants AeroEcon. That's 3 percent more than 2000; 6 percent more than 2003.

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