Mabrian, a travel data firm, studied average airfare from July 2021 to June 2023. They looked at 157 countries.
Their study found global airfare rose by 31%. Budget airline prices also went up by 6%.
In June 2023, Qatar, Mali, Jordan, Panama, and Sudan are the most costly places to fly to. The cheapest are Bolivia, Slovakia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Colombia.
Europe’s north, south, and around the Mediterranean saw big price hikes. So did Asia. The Middle East, except Qatar, did not see major changes.
Carlos Cendra, Mabrian’s CMO, talked about the price rise. He mentioned higher oil costs, changes in flight routes during the pandemic, and worker shortages.
He also said airlines are making up for lost profits with more travelers.
Background
Air travel costs have always been a hot topic. In the past, they were mainly driven by oil prices and demand. But the last two years have been unique.
A global pandemic changed the way airlines operate. Many had to cut routes and even staff.
Mabrian’s study sheds light on these new factors. It’s not just about oil anymore. Route changes due to COVID-19 had an impact.
Airlines had to adapt fast. Labor shortages also played a role. Many workers left the industry during the pandemic. Now, airlines are struggling to find new staff.
Budget airlines got hit too. A 6% price rise may not seem like much. But for companies focused on low prices, it’s a big deal.
They operate on thin margins. Any price rise affects their business model.
June 2023’s data on costly and cheap destinations is telling. Qatar is hosting the World Cup, driving prices up.
On the other end, countries like Bolivia and Nepal remain budget-friendly.
Europe and Asia saw the most significant price jumps. Both regions have busy air traffic. Higher prices there impact global averages.