Why buying airline tickets during the pandemic is so expensive?

Why buying airline tickets during the pandemic is so expensive?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought worldwide consequences, not just on people’s health but also on the economy of the world. One major industry that was hit hard is the aviation industry. Due to the decreasing travel demand, airlines have been forced to change their policies, and the changes in policies have resulted in increased airfare. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why buying airline tickets during the pandemic is so expensive.

Decreased Travel Demand

The travel demand has decreased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing airline companies to make considerable changes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air travel demand has decreased by 60% compared to 2019 levels. To compensate for the lower demand, airlines have reduced their schedules to save costs on upkeep and other associated expenses.

Fewer Competitors

The travel demand’s decrease has made some airlines go bust, forcing others to join forces, making it harder for consumers to find airlines with lower prices. Even though airlines have reduced schedules, they still need to stay afloat. As a result, they’re forced to increase airfare to make up for lost revenue. Fewer airlines also mean less competition, meaning they’re not under pressure to cut prices to remain competitive.

Middle Seat Policy

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have implemented the middle seat policy to promote social distancing and reduce the chances of infection. These empty seats, known as the middle seat policy, take up revenue space. Airlines have raised the prices to make up for lost revenue on empty seats. As the middle seat policy proves its efficacy, airlines are unlikely to abandon it anytime soon, which means they’re still under pressure to maintain prices at current rates.

Cancelled Flights and Limited Capacity

Many countries have imposed restrictions on travelers, requiring mandatory quarantine upon arrival or producing negative COVID-19 test results as preconditions to traveling. The restrictions, coupled with the middle seat policy, have resulted in canceled flights and limit in capacity, causing airlines to increase prices to satisfy the new consumer demand.

Conclusion

Airline companies have implemented various policies to curb the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread, and these policies have consequently increased airfare. Consumers need to shop around, pay close attention to flight policies, and try to book their flights in advance to get the best deals. The future remains uncertain, so the airline industry’s long-term viability is still in question. The situation demands patience and perseverance from both airlines and travel customers to ride out these turbulent times.

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.