por THE BAJA POST
NEWSROOM
IMAGE: https://pixabay.com/es/users/skitterphoto-324082/
Americans are beginning to regain confidence in air travel, as evidenced by TSA’s recent checkpoint data. 1,357,111 Americans were screened in airports across the United States on March 13, marking the busiest day since the inception of the global pandemic last year. The figures previously fell to 90,000 in April and remained below the one-million mark until October.
With the current growth in aviation activity, Americans are seeing lower airfares and new domestic routes.
The latest statistics from the Transportation Security Administration reflect optimism for travelers as well as the aviation industry, adding to the consolidation received in the form of an economic stimulus signed by President Biden on Thursday.
The recovery of air travel begins as the vaccination campaign advances and the active case count declines. The uptick in customer demand appears as U.S. airlines actively launch new routes while touting lower airfare. American Airlines announced 10 returning and seasonal routes from Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS). The Fort Worth-based airline said the additional frequencies were added in response to pent-up demand for business and leisure travel.
The carrier is adding twice-daily service from Austin to Las Vegas (LAS), Nashville (BNA), New Orleans (MSY), and Orlando (MCO) in May. Routes to Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and Tampa (TPA) will commence June, followed by Washington Dulles (IAD) in August. The oneworld alliance member is also adding three seasonal routes connecting Austin with Aspen (ASE), Los Cabos (SJD), and Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) this summer.
Alaska Airlines has announced four new routes starting in June, two each from Seattle (SEA) and Boise (BOI).
The Seattle-based airline will operate twice-daily service between Seattle and Idaho Falls (IDA) as well as Seattle and Redding (RDD), California. New routes from BOI are to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Austin (AUS). The routes will be operated by Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. Alaska also announced 28 daily departures to 12 cities from BOI starting June 17.
Alaska’s Vice President of Network and Alliances, Brett Catlin, said: “We look forward to serving the needs of the community with nonstop flights, low fares, and great service.” Alaska Air said passengers will be able to connect to American Airlines’ domestic and international networks at ORD. Notably, Alaska Airlines will officially sign on the oneworld alliance on March 31, joining founding member American Airlines.
Lower Airfare: Along with added networks, U.S. airlines are offering lower airfare in a bid to lure travelers up into the skies. According to the latest data from Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), U.S. domestic airfare slumped to an average of $245 in Q3 of 2020. The aforementioned rate is the lowest inflation-adjusted average quarterly airfare recorded by the BTS dating back to 1995. It also reflects a 30% decline YoY as reported by Bloomberg.
Given the current advantage of lower airfare, carriers are revising policies for the near future. Delta’s basic economy tickets purchased after March 30, will not be changeable or refundable. United Airlines, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will not offer fee-free changes to basic economy seats issued after March 31. The cut-off date is the same for airline JetBlue, as Blue Basic fares starting April 1 would be changed or canceled at a fee of $100 for travel within the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America, and a fee of $200 for all other routes.
SOURCE: https://www.traveloffpath.com/
