Asia airfares rise, bucking economic slump

Published airfares rose one per cent across Asia-Pacific year-on-year, according to fourth quarter 2009 results of American Express Business Travel Monitor.
 
The survey also revealed price increases across business and economy classes between the third and fourth quarters of 2009, which belied expectations for significant savings as a result of the global financial slump.
 
?While the perception may have been that travel was much more affordable during the economic crisis, in many cases published air fares increased,? said Jonas Borglin, head of advisory services for American Express Business Travel, Japan, Asia-Pacific and Australasia.
 
?We have entered a new normal where we expect travel volumes and spending patterns will differ from what they were prior to the economic crisis,?
 
Borglin warned of further price increases on the horizon in line with the improving economic outlook.

Sourced = The TTG TravelHub