Atlanta airfares basically flat, report says
Amid a weak economy and a decline in travel, airfares in Atlanta essentially held steady while fares around the country declined in the final quarter of 2009, according to new federal data.
The average domestic fare in Atlanta was $329.66 in the fourth quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That’s down slightly from $331.29 in the same period of 2008. The figures are based on all purchases, whether round-trip or one-way.
But airlines have been moving to increase fares this year as the economy recovers and some business travelers return to the skies. Consolidation, including the merger of Delta and Northwest airlines, has reduced price competition, according to Airfarewatchdog president George Hobica, and airlines are intent on holding down capacity and cutting losses.
Bing Travel last week said average summer fares from Atlanta this year will be about 20 percent higher than last year.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, domestic fares fell 7.4 percent nationwide from a year earlier, the largest year-over-year decline since 2001.
Five airports saw fare increases, led by Savannah, which lost service by AirTran Airways.
The average fare in the fourth quarter from Savannah was $423.76, a 4 percent increase from the same period in 2008.
Savannah also had the second highest average air fare in the nation, behind Huntsville, Ala.
Cincinnati, once known for the highest fares in the nation, had the largest decrease with a 30.8 percent drop from $554 to $384. Cincinnati is dominated by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and its Comair subsidiary. Delta has been severely shrinking its Cincinnati hub and in early 2009 pledged to revamp fares there in response to complaints from the area’s business community.
Atlanta’s average fare was above the national average of $319.31 in the fourth quarter, but still ranked 39th among the 100 airports ranked from highest to lowest in the federal report.
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