The runaway rise in air fares driven by the sharp rebound in post-pandemic travel demand slowed in 2023, but travellers still face prices well above 2019 levels on many of the world’s most popular routes.
Average ticket prices on more than 600 routes rose at an annual rate of 2.1 per cent in September, the latest month for which data is available, down from double-digit growth at the start of the year, according to a Financial Times analysis of data from aviation company Cirium.
Airlines have faced criticism for the rise in ticket prices, which has come as high demand for travel has coincided with a shortage of global aircraft. Industry costs including fuel and staff have also risen.