BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 8. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that annual jet fuel consumption in the US increased for the third straight year in 2023 but has yet to reach the pre-pandemic peak of 2019, Trend reports.
According to the agency's research, in 2023, US jet fuel consumption averaged 1.65 mb/d, 5% below the 2019 high. Despite this, airline passenger volumes have already surpassed 2019 levels and remain higher than in 2023.
In 2020, jet fuel consumption in the U.S. dropped to its lowest level since 1985 due to the significant reduction in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As air travel resumed, recovery in jet fuel consumption was slower compared to other liquid fuels due to labor supply constraints in the aviation sector and high fuel prices. By 2023, with most of these constraints resolved, jet fuel consumption increased but remained below pre-pandemic levels, primarily due to reduced activity by foreign-based commercial carriers, declining freight activity, and improved fuel efficiency in the commercial fleet. The EIA estimates that commercial aviation accounts for approximately 85% of U.S. jet fuel consumption, general aviation for about 8%, and the U.S. military and government for around 7%.
Commercial jet fuel consumption was the most impacted by pandemic-related travel reductions, dropping 42% from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, commercial carriers used 8% less fuel than in 2019. General aviation saw an 11% decline in fuel consumption in 2020 compared to 2019, while military and government fuel use only fell by 7% during the same period. Both military and general aviation fuel consumption returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2021. However, foreign-based commercial airlines continued to operate below pre-pandemic levels in 2023, contributing significantly to the reduced U.S. jet fuel consumption. Foreign carriers provided 14% less capacity in 2023 than in 2019 for international routes to and from the United States, while U.S.-based carriers increased their capacity by 2% for international routes and 4% for domestic routes. Overall, total available seat-miles for all routes were 2% lower in 2023 compared to 2019.
Declining air freight activity also slowed the growth of U.S. jet fuel consumption in 2023. Early in the pandemic, a shift in consumer spending from services to goods boosted jet fuel consumption by freight carriers, with air freight activity increasing by 12% from 2020 to 2021. However, from 2021 to 2023, freight activity decreased by 12% as supply chain constraints eased and spending on goods normalized, reducing fuel consumption by freight carriers.
The growing fuel efficiency of newer aircraft has further limited U.S. jet fuel consumption. Commercial airlines have continued to enhance the fuel economy of their fleets to cut operating costs. The average fuel economy of U.S. commercial carriers improved from 64.9 seat-miles per gallon in 2019 to 65.5 seat-miles per gallon in 2023. As aircraft manufacturers introduce more energy-efficient aircraft and engines, these newer models help boost fuel efficiency, whether they are used to expand capacity or replace older aircraft.
