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31 Aug, 2017

Air Travel to Totality Cities Nearly Doubled for Aug 21 U.S. Solar Eclipse

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– – The August 21 solar eclipse proved to be a highlight of the 2017 summer travel season as air travel to U.S. cities located along the path of totality nearly doubled for the weekend prior to the eclipse compared to 2016*, according to analysis by the Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC).

The number of air travel tickets purchased to totality cities went up an average of 55 percent for Friday arrival, 136 percent for Saturday arrival and 52 percent for Sunday arrival compared to the same weekend last year. Kansas City, Missouri and Knoxville, Tennessee had the largest percentage increase for Saturday travel at 249 percent and 200 percent respectively, more than three times the travelers than in 2016.

ARC’s analysis found that the following cities in the path of totality had the most dramatic increases over the prior year:

  • Columbia, S.C.: 43, 113 and 124 percent
  • Kansas City, Mo.: 94, 249 and 52 percent
  • Knoxville, Tenn.: 127, 200 and 70 percent
  • Nashville, Tenn.: 31, 125 and 27 percent
  • Omaha, Neb.: 67, 187 and 99 percent
  • Portland, Ore.: 39, 91 and 60 percent
  • St. Louis, Mo.: 92, 187 and 37 percent

For more information about the Airlines Reporting Corporation please visit www.arccorp.com.