The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) forecasts an average of 2.24 million people will take to the skies each day this summer-- a daily increase of 34,000 compared with last year.

In its annual summer forecast, released May 16, the ATA predicts that U.S. airlines will carry a total of 206.2 million passengers from June through August, roughly 3 million, or 1.5 percent, more more passengers compared to the same period in 2010, according the ATA.

"Much of the growth is linked to the economic recovery we've seen in the past year," said Steve Lott, ATA vice president of communications.

"Airlines continue to invest in new technology and self-service tools like web check-in and mobile boarding passes," said Lott. "DoT statistics show that airline performance is improving in terms of on-time performance, baggage, etc."

International passengers are expected to hit a new record. Of the 206.2 million passengers expected to travel on U.S. airlines this summer, 26.3 million will be traveling on international flights. This estimate surpasses the previous recorded of 25.8 million international passengers flown in summer 2010.

Domestically about 180 million passengers will fly this summer, up from the 177.3 million that flew in the summer 2010. The record was set in 2007, when 192.4 million passengers flew domestically during the summer months, the ATA stated.