A USA Today analysis of the country's top 100 airports in the 48 contiguous states found that on average, those that lost at least a quarter of their domestic seats since the start of 2005 saw nearly twice the average fare increase over the past eight years.
The paper's analysis published this morning is based on inflation-adjusted fare data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and airline schedule data from OAG Aviation Worldwide.
In one example, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport saw its number of seats plummet 80% between the first quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2013, as Delta slashed flights and the airport lost service from Northwest as well as Continental, which merged with United in 2010.
Fares spiked 26% during that eight-year period, to an average ticket price of $519 — the highest of the 100 airports reviewed.
In one example, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport saw its number of seats plummet 80% between the first quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2013, as Delta slashed flights and the airport lost service from Northwest as well as Continental, which merged with United in 2010.
Fares spiked 26% during that eight-year period, to an average ticket price of $519 — the highest of the 100 airports reviewed.
This is a nicely written example of a consumer story with wide impact.
ReplyDeleteI tweaked the lead paragraph for clarity, removing a cumbersome phrase with little meaning to readers: "A USA Today Network" analysis.
The network is the name given over the summer to the nascent national news desk linking USAT to dozens of the U.S. community dailies. It's been lead since March by former Reno Gazette-Journal editor Beryl Love.
Jim, did you mean "led" by Beryl Love, or possibly that's been "leaden" and dull since March? Or is your copy desk on furlough this Thanksgiving week?
DeleteThanks. (And you are my copy desk on this one.)
DeleteBeryl Love couldnt lead anyone out of an empty bag. He isnt around.
ReplyDeleteActually Beryl is doing a fine job. Sorry haters
ReplyDeleteLooks like DeNiro in the movie "Angel Heart". "Oh, Greenspan.....he's dead."
DeleteI concur, Beryl is doing a fine job. Beryl and Rick Green both earned respect in Cincinnati. Folks there had high hopes one of them would return as editor. Instead the poor suckers still working there have an editor who couldn't lead a whore to bed.
ReplyDeleteIt was like night to day in Des Moines. Green's a human being and replaced possibly the nastiest piece of work in GCI.
DeleteHe didnt earn respect in Reno. From what I hear, he hangs out in his office at Usa Today and come out only for meetings.
ReplyDeleteBL had virtually nothing to do with this project. To suggest otherwise would be complete b.s.
ReplyDelete