ARC: October U.S. Airfares Creep Up Again
October domestic roundtrip airfares increased for the second straight month, according to Airlines Reporting Corp., up 3 percent from September's level to $578.
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October domestic roundtrip airfares increased for the second straight month, according to Airlines Reporting Corp., up 3 percent from September's level to $578. That average fare remains below the monthly high of $628 reached in May, but is up from the August level of $526.
The October average fare is up 36 percent year over year.
October ARC-accredited travel agency air ticket sales totaled $7.3 billion, up 72 percent year over year but flat from September 2022 levels. Total trips declined 2 percent month over month, with U.S. domestic trips down 3 percent and international trips down 1 percent.
Total passenger trips settled by ARC in October 2022 increased 19 percent year over year to 20.8 million. U.S. domestic trips increased 11 percent while international trips increased 37 percent. Trips sold by U.S. travel agencies whose primary business model is managed corporate or government travel increased 60 percent year over year.
October electronic miscellaneous document sales, which include fees for such ancillary products as upgraded seats and checked bags, increased 113 percent year over year and nearly 16 percent month over month to $16.7 million.
“While October’s overall travel demand was in line with what we saw in September, demand for ancillary products has been increasing,” ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said in a statement. “Travelers are looking to customize their experiences as we return to pre-pandemic travel levels, especially with international travel.”
October EMD transactions increased 11 percent month over month and 74 percent year over year to more than 284,000.
