Regan Brown
The aviation industry consumes a significant amount of jet fuel annually, with usage varying based on several factors. In the United States, jet fuel consumption averaged 1.65 million barrels per day in 2023, reflecting an increase for the third consecutive year. However, it remained below the pre-pandemic peak in 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19 on air travel. Various factors, such as labour supply constraints, fuel prices, and the increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes, have influenced jet fuel consumption trends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2023 | 1.65 million barrels per day |
| Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2021 | 13.8 billion gallons |
| Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2020 | Lowest since 1985 |
| Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2019 | 8% more commercial jet fuel consumption than in 2023 |
| Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2007 | 18.43 billion gallons |
| Jet fuel consumption by military and government users in 2020 | 7% less than in 2019 |
| Jet fuel consumption by general aviation users in 2020 | 11% less than in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel consumption in the US in 2023
Commercial jet fuel consumption was the most affected by pandemic-related travel reductions, falling 42% from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, commercial carriers consumed 8% less fuel than in 2019. Military and government users were less impacted by travel restrictions, with their jet fuel use declining by only 7% from 2019 to 2020. Jet fuel consumption by military, government, and general aviation users recovered to pre-pandemic levels by 2021.
The slow recovery in jet fuel consumption in 2023 can be attributed to various factors, including less activity by foreign-based commercial carriers, declining freight activity, and improving fuel efficiency in the commercial fleet. Early in the pandemic, consumers spent less on services and more on goods, increasing jet fuel consumption by freight carriers. However, as supply chain constraints eased and spending patterns normalised, freight activity declined by 12% from 2021 to 2023, reducing jet fuel consumption.
Additionally, the increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes has also played a role in limiting jet fuel consumption in the US. Commercial airlines have been improving the fuel economy of their fleets to reduce operating costs. The average fuel economy of US commercial carriers in terms of available seat-miles per gallon increased to 65.5 seat-miles per gallon in 2023, up from 64.9 seat-miles per gallon in 2019.
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Impact of the pandemic on jet fuel consumption
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented drop in jet fuel consumption due to travel restrictions and lockdowns. In 2020, less jet fuel was consumed globally than in any year since 1985. The pandemic's impact on jet fuel consumption varied across regions, with the greatest reductions in the Americas (88%), Europe (87%), and Africa (85%).
In the United States, jet fuel consumption was significantly affected by the pandemic. Commercial jet fuel consumption, which includes passenger flights, experienced the most significant decline, falling by 42% from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, commercial carriers in the US consumed 8% less fuel than in 2019. Military and government users were less impacted, with only a 7% decrease in jet fuel use from 2019 to 2020. By 2021, jet fuel consumption by military, government, and general aviation users had recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
The slow recovery in jet fuel consumption in the US was due to several factors, including labor supply constraints in the aviation sector, high fuel prices, and the increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes. In 2023, US jet fuel consumption averaged 1.65 million barrels per day, 5% below the pre-pandemic high in 2019. While airline passenger volumes have surpassed 2019 levels, jet fuel consumption has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, indicating that the aviation industry had not fully recovered as of 2023.
The pandemic's impact on jet fuel consumption had a significant environmental effect. As jet fuel consumption dropped, so did the aviation sector's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In 2023, the aviation sector emitted 230 million tons of CO2, a post-pandemic high. However, with the aviation industry ramping up capacity to meet the increasing demand for air travel, there is a renewed focus on its environmental impact and the need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions.
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Jet fuel consumption by commercial airlines
While jet fuel consumption has been increasing since 2020, it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, commercial carriers in the United States consumed 8% less fuel than in 2019, with an average of 1.65 million barrels per day, 5% below the pre-pandemic peak. This trend is partly due to the increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes, as well as efforts by commercial airlines to improve the fuel economy of their fleets to reduce operating costs.
The average fuel economy of U.S. commercial carriers in terms of available seat-miles per gallon increased to 65.5 seat-miles per gallon in 2023, up from 64.9 seat-miles per gallon in 2019. Despite the recovery in airline passenger volumes, jet fuel consumption in 2021 remained below pre-pandemic levels due to labour supply constraints in the aviation sector and high fuel prices.
In 2021, U.S. airlines consumed 13.8 billion gallons of fuel, a significant decrease from the high of 18.43 billion gallons in 2007. The commercial aviation market in the U.S. has experienced strong growth since 2009, with revenue figures and passenger traffic surpassing pre-recession levels. However, fuel consumption has not returned to the levels seen in 2007, which may be attributed to various factors, including improvements in fuel efficiency and economic factors affecting operating costs.
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Jet fuel consumption by the military
The United States Department of Defense is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, responsible for 93% of US government fuel consumption in 2007. The Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense. The DoD uses 4,600,000,000 US gallons (1.7x10^10 litres) of fuel annually, which equates to an average of 12,600,000 US gallons (48,000,000 litres) of fuel per day.
The Marine Corps has established the Expeditionary Energy Office to increase combat effectiveness by reducing the need for liquid fossil fuel by 50% by 2025, using liquid fuel only for mobility. The Defense Department planned to invest $9 billion to improve energy use in military operations through 2017. The DoD's Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) improves the energy and water efficiency of existing Military Services' facilities, helping the Military Services save on energy usage and costs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $120 million for the ECIP.
The US military's jet fuel consumption was impacted by the pandemic, but less so than commercial jet fuel consumption, which fell by 42% from 2019 to 2020. Military jet fuel use declined by 7% from 2019 to 2020 but recovered to pre-pandemic levels by 2021.
In addition to jet fuel, the US military also uses a significant amount of electricity. In FY 2006, the DoD used almost 30,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, at a cost of nearly $2.2 billion. If the DoD were a country, it would rank 58th in the world in electricity consumption, using slightly less than Denmark and slightly more than Syria.
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Jet fuel consumption and air freight activity
However, as travel restrictions eased and passenger volumes recovered, jet fuel consumption began to increase. Air freight activity, measured in pounds transported, increased by 12% from 2020 to 2021. This rise in air freight activity contributed to the overall increase in jet fuel consumption. By 2023, jet fuel consumption in the United States averaged 1.65 million barrels per day, a 5% decrease from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
While jet fuel consumption has been recovering, it has not returned to pre-pandemic peaks. The aviation industry continues to face challenges, including labor supply constraints and high fuel prices, which have slowed down the recovery of jet fuel consumption. Additionally, the increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes has also played a role in limiting jet fuel consumption. Commercial airlines are investing in more fuel-efficient fleets to reduce operating costs and improve their fuel economy.
The impact of these changes is evident when comparing 2023 to 2019. While airline passenger volumes have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2023, jet fuel consumption remained below the 2019 peak. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including the improved fuel efficiency of aircraft, a shift in consumer spending patterns, and the resolution of supply chain constraints. As consumers prioritized spending on goods during the pandemic, jet fuel consumption by freight carriers initially increased. However, as spending patterns normalized and supply chain constraints eased, freight activity declined, leading to a corresponding decrease in jet fuel consumption by freight carriers.
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Frequently asked questions
The US consumed an average of 1.65 million barrels of jet fuel per day in 2023, which is 5% less than the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
In 2020, jet fuel consumption in the US dropped to its lowest level since 1985 due to reduced air travel. In 2021, US airlines consumed 13.8 billion gallons of fuel, a significant drop from the 18.43 billion gallons consumed in 2007.
Jet fuel consumption has been increasing slowly since 2021, but it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The increasing fuel efficiency of newer airplanes has limited jet fuel consumption in the US.
Military and government jet fuel consumption was less affected by the pandemic. While commercial jet fuel consumption fell by 42% from 2019 to 2020, military and government consumption only declined by 7% during the same period.
