Delta Predicting 80 Percent Drop in Passengers for July 4th Weekend

Delta is expecting an eighty percent drop in passengers traveling for the July 4th weekend, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Business Insider, this time last year the airline flew 3.2 million passengers. This year they are expecting only 600,000 passengers, better than it has been since the pandemic put a halt to travel earlier this year, but a stark reminder of just how the travel industry is struggling.

In a memo to employees, Business Insider reports Delta CEO Ed Bastian shared “Business travelers, who provide the bulk of our revenue, have not yet returned in significant numbers.”

AAA also expects a decline in people traveling for the July 4th weekend, predicting those who choose to travel will likely drive rather than fly.

“Not many people will be flying to their destinations, we’re going to see mostly road trips. So the travel distances will be a little shorter than we usually see. And, you know, it’s important for people to get out and go somewhere, especially after being on lock down. A good part of the last few months was a lot of pent up demand. A lot of Cabin Fever, a lot of people that are really anxious to get out and go somewhere and so it’s still going to be really busy and if you’re going somewhere you need to be sure that you’re maintaining these safety guidelines,” AAA Alabama’s Clay Ingram told WTVY.