Corporate agency trips were down for fourth month in a row

US-based travel agency air ticket sales decreased 4% year over year in April to $8.8 billion, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC). The number of passenger trips settled by ARC increased 1% year over year to 25.7 million. Trips sold by corporate agencies, those with at least 70% self-reported corporate and government business, declined 6.2% compared with April 2024, marking the fourth month in a row the figure dropped. The prior declines were smaller —0.82% in March, 2.9% in February and 0.44% in January. Among the results:

• Total sales were $8.8 billion, down 6% month over month and 4% year over year
• Total passenger trips were 25.7 million, down 5% month over month and up 1% year over year.
• US domestic trips were 16.2 million, down 4% month over month and up 1% year over year.
• International trips were 9.5 million, down 8% month over month and up 1% year over year.
• The average economy class ticket price was $476, up 1% month over month and up 2% year over year.
• The average premium class ticket price was $1,233, flat both month over month and year over year.

Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer, said that “Business travel contended with increased economic uncertainty and the Easter holiday falling in late April, which affected year-over-year corporate passenger trip comparisons.” He said that despite some macroeconomic headwinds, “overall passenger trips for domestic and international travel remained above 2024 levels, showing the resilience of travel demand.”

NDC transactions accounted for 19.6% of the total ARC reported and settled transactions in April 2025 — a 2% increase from 19.3% in April 2024. In April 2025, a total of 905 travel agencies reported NDC transactions.