Fuel costs chief factor in soaring Air Canada ticket prices

Air Canada flights tickets prices have been increasing because of the growing jet fuel costs and the prevailing economic turmoil, said the airline’s spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.

A recent Statistics Canada report also showed that the average price of a flight increased to $248.60 in Q2 of 2011 from $234.80 a year earlier. However, the figures do not include GST, air transportation taxes or user fees such as airport fees and fuel surcharges.

The report stated that the average cost for domestic travelers increased to $195.80 in 2011 from $179.10 in 2010.

The report further pointed out that those taking international flights on Canadian carriers, however, had to pay less for their tickets, with the average international airfares declining to $318.30 from $319.40 in 2010.

Other Canadian carrier WestJet Airlines also had to increase its tickets prices because of the increasing jet fuel costs. The airline had to increase its prices five times in 2011.