Air passenger revenue ends 14-month decline

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. airline passenger revenue rose in January for the first time in more than a year as ticket prices increased, according to a trade group.

Revenue based on a sample of U.S. carriers was up 1.4% in January compared to the same month in 2009, following 14 consecutive months of declines, the Air Transport Association (ATA) said Tuesday.

The boost in sales came as the average ticket price to fly one mile jumped 0.6%, the first rise since November 2008, offsetting the 0.4% drop in passengers.

Revenue was also boosted by a 3.4% increase in passenger sales on trans-Atlantic routes in January, the ATA said.

In December, cargo traffic surged 17% year-over-year amid growth in international trade. That compares to an 11% decline for the full year of 2009. January 2010 cargo data were not yet available.