May 3—The growing number of commercial airline travelers is starting to lift jet fuel demand ahead of the peak summer travel season, according to a report from the Energy Department.
The number of passengers going through security checkpoints at U.S. airports increased to an average of 1.4 million per day in April, up from less than 1 million passengers per day at the start of this year and just 100,000 passengers per day in April 2020, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The average jet fuel consumption in April hit more than 1.2 million barrels per day, nearly 200,000 barrels per day higher than in March. Jet fuel demand still remains below pre-pandemic levels of more than 1.5 million barrels per day in 2019, according to the Energy Department.
"In recent weeks, the number of air travel passengers has increased in the United States, which may indicate a corresponding near-term increase in jet fuel demand," the Energy Department said.
Jet fuel demand has been at historic lows since April 2020, when governments around the world imposed travel restrictions and economic lockdowns to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. With the rollout of coronavirus vaccines in the U.S., air travel is poised to rebound this summer.
Houston stands to gain some of the inbound air traffic as conventions start returning to the city later this year. The Offshore Technology Conference, one of Houston's biggest conventions, is set to return in August at NRG Park. Other major conferences include annual meetings for the National Rifle Association in September and the World Petroleum Congress in December, both of which will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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