Market watch writes : "It’s not your imagination. Airfare is getting more expensive. The cost for a domestic roundtrip ticket averaged nearly $356 last year, up 3.6% from a year prior, according to the latest data from Airlines for America, a trade group which represents U.S. carriers. And the rate at which airfare is rising is speeding up: The average ticket price spiked 24% from 2009 to 2012. In contrast, during the four years prior to this period, 2005 to 2008, prices increased by 16.4%.
Holiday travel in particular is becoming costlier. The average price of roundtrip economy tickets sold by the end of September for travel between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1 increased 7.5% from last year to $337 before taxes and fees, according to Airlines Reporting Corp., which processes travel agencies’ ticket sales with airlines. (Data is based on purchases made with travel agencies and third-party travel sites.) These prices reflect tickets bought relatively far in advance; holiday tickets bought on shorter notice cost considerably more.
Airlines say they have to increase prices to keep up with the price of fuel and other costs of doing business—and that despite rising prices, airfare has not kept up with inflation. When adjusted for inflation, the average price of a domestic ticket is actually lower now than it was in 2000, says John Heimlich, chief economist at Airlines for America. However, even when adjusted for inflation, prices are increased 10.3% from 2005 to 2012, according to the trade group. "
Note EU-Digest: Unfortunately the US Congress has been sitting on their hands again and failing to help consumers/their electorate in combating this problem.
In contrast, EU Citizens are protected formany of these abuses by a EU Parliament approved passenger rights bill – whether traveling by air or rail, and now also by ship, bus and coach.
Read more: 10 things airlines won’t tell you - 10 things - MarketWatch
