Shares of U.S. airlines rose sharply along with the broader market Monday, as well as new hints of a recovery in air travel.
JetBlue Airways Corp. said April traffic rose 6 percent and a key revenue figure increased 4 percent. SkyWest Inc., which operates regional flights for Delta and United, said April traffic soared 10.9 percent.
The Amex airlines index jumped 6 percent, with all 13 component stocks higher in afternoon trading.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained about 360 points, more than 3 percent, by early afternoon.
In afternoon trading, JetBlue shares rose 34 cents, or 6.4 percent, to $5.66; SkyWest gained 81 cents, or 6.2 percent, to $13.94; Delta Air Lines Inc. added 51 cents, or 4.4 percent, to $12.21; and American Airlines parent AMR Corp. added 21 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $6.89.
United Airlines parent UAL Corp. rose $1.30, or 7.3 percent, to $19.19; Continental Airlines Inc. gained $1.26, or 6.8 percent, to $19.87; Southwest Airlines Co. picked up 43 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $12.82; and US Airways Group Inc. rose 49 cents, or 7.7 percent, to $6.87.