The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has reported that jet fuel consumption in the US rose in 2023 for the third consecutive year but remained below the pre-pandemic peak of 2019. This suggests that US aviation has not fully returned to normal operations even three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, US jet fuel consumption averaged 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd), which is 5% lower than the peak seen in 2019. Despite this, airline passenger volumes have surpassed 2019 levels and consistently exceeded those in 2023.
During 2020, the US witnessed its lowest jet fuel consumption since 1985 due to reduced air travel caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. As air travel resumed, challenges such as labor shortages in the aviation sector and high fuel prices slowed down the recovery of jet fuel consumption compared to other liquid fuels. By 2023, most of these challenges had been addressed, yet jet fuel consumption continued to grow at a slower pace than in the previous two years, remaining below pre-pandemic levels. This was attributed to reduced activity by foreign-based commercial carriers, declining freight operations, and improved fuel efficiency in the commercial aircraft fleet.
Jet fuel consumption in the US is primarily used by three categories of users: commercial aviation (including passenger airlines and air freight companies), general aviation (comprising recreational and business aviation), and military and government aviation.
According to EIA estimates, commercial aviation typically accounts for about 85% of jet fuel consumption in the US, while general aviation and military/government sectors account for approximately 8% and 7%, respectively.
Among these categories, commercial aviation experienced the most significant impact from the pandemic-related travel reductions, with fuel consumption declining by 42% from 2019 to 2020. By 2023, fuel consumption by commercial carriers remained 8% lower than in 2019. In contrast, general aviation saw a smaller decline of 11% in fuel consumption in 2020 compared to 2019, while military and government aviation was less affected, with a 7% decrease during the same period. Both military/government and general aviation sectors had recovered to pre-pandemic levels by 2021.
The slower recovery of US jet fuel consumption in 2023 was also influenced by the reduced activity of foreign-based commercial airlines operating in the US. These carriers offered 14% less capacity in 2023 than in 2019 for routes between the US and international destinations. Meanwhile, US-based carriers increased their capacity for international and domestic routes by 2% and 4%, respectively, over the same period. Overall, total available seat-miles for all routes were down by 2% in 2023 compared to 2019.
Additionally, the decline in air freight activity contributed to the slower growth of US jet fuel consumption in 2023. While air freight had initially increased during the pandemic due to higher spending on goods, it declined by 12% from 2021 to 2023 as supply chain constraints eased and consumer spending reverted to typical patterns.
The introduction of more fuel-efficient aircraft has also played a role in limiting US jet fuel consumption. Commercial airlines have continued to enhance the fuel efficiency of their fleets, with the average fuel economy improving from 64.9 seat-miles per gallon in 2019 to 65.5 seat-miles per gallon in 2023. The adoption of newer, more energy-efficient aircraft and engines has further boosted fuel efficiency, whether through fleet expansion or replacement efforts.
Overall, while US jet fuel consumption has shown growth in recent years, it remains below pre-pandemic levels due to various factors affecting commercial aviation, air freight, and advancements in fuel efficiency within the industry.