DALLAS — Average U.S. airfares jumped 8.1 percent in the second quarter to their highest level in the 13 years that the government has tracked them.
The Transportation Department said Wednesday the average domestic-itinerary fare in the second quarter rose to $352, breaking the record of $348 set in the first quarter of 2001.
Airlines raised fees and fuel surcharges this year as they tried to offset high costs for fuel, which peaked at record levels in the first week of July — just after the second quarter ended. Even with the increases, however, most major U.S. airlines lost money in the quarter.
In the past two months, many airlines have cut back on the number of flights they operate, which could push fares higher.
The Transportation Department based its figures on a sample of itineraries from April through June, excluding “abnormally high” fares.
The increase of 8.1 percent over the second quarter of 2007 was the biggest year-over-year increase since early 2006.
Average fares rose 4.6 percent from the first three months of the year, but fares typically rise in the second quarter because of stronger springtime demand.
