EVERGREEN, Colo., April 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An analysis of the latest air traffic data indicates that average fares in the top 175 US markets was up 9.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the same period in 2009. The average one-way ticket, including federal fees and taxes jumped from $157.63 to $ 172.22. This according to a quarterly traffic snapshot accomplished by Aviation DataMiner™ the leading industry information and intelligence source, provided by Boyd Group International.
The airport where consumers paid the highest fares on a per-mile basis was Dallas/Love, where Southwest is still restricted to relatively short-haul flying. The highest one-way total fare was paid at Fairbanks, at $350.05, where the average passenger trip is over 1,600 miles, one-way. "Care needs to be taken when comparing fares at airports. The geographic location will affect the distance people fly, and that affects the total dollars paid per passenger. The best metric is what airlines are charging at an airport on a per-mile basis," noted Tim Sieber, VP of Boyd Group International.
Using the fare-per-mile metric, Dallas/Love passengers paid 23.7 cents per mile, with an average passenger trip length of 553 mile. This compares to Dallas/Ft. Worth International, where the average fare-per-mile was 18.2 cents, with an average passenger trip of 1,053 miles.
There are no indications that the cost of flying will go down in the future. "We can expect another 8% to 12% jump in fares in 2011," noted Michael Boyd, president of the Colorado-based consulting and research firm. "With oil going up, airlines will need to prepare for two key dynamics: higher jet fuel and a declining traffic demand." This latter prediction comes in the wake of very strong traffic in the last part of 2010 and the early months of 2011. "By the end of this year, those rosy numbers will be a faint memory. The airline industry is in for a tough time," he added.
Separately, Boyd Group International is forecasting a decline in US air passenger enplanements – both international and domestic – of between 1.4% to 3.5% for the full year of 2011. "The fourth quarter could be a real downward spiral. It will depend on how much fuel goes up and capacity goes down," according to Boyd.
The full Traffic Snapshot can be downloaded at www.AviationPlanning.com.
About Boyd Group International
Founded in 1984, Boyd Group International is a multi-dimensional aviation research and consulting firm based in Evergreen, Colorado, with focus on strategic planning and industry forecasting. Clients include major airlines, airports, financial institutions, aircraft manufacturers, and suppliers.
The firm also holds the Annual International Aviation Forecast Summit. Now in its 16th year, it will be hosted in Albuquerque August 27-30, 2011. For more information on Boyd Group International and the Forecast Summit, log on to www.AviationPlanning.com.
CONTACT: Michael Boyd (303) 674-2000
