Airfares up as Asian travel rebounds

Asia-Pacific airlines are raising ticket prices as travelers return in droves after holding back on their travel plans last year because of the global recession.

　　A strong economic rebound, led by China, has resulted in carriers filling more seats during the summer holidays, and demand should remain robust despite slower expansion in the second half of this year, industry analysts said.

　　Singapore Airlines said it will raise fares on certain routes from October 1, while Korean Air bumped up ticket prices for international passengers by as much as 10 percent in August, its second increase since June.

　　Australian flag-carrier Qantas increased its international and domestic fares July 28 by 3 percent.

　　"Pricing is reviewed continuously across all routes, taking into account demand and capacity, competitor activity and business performance," Qantas said in announcing the price hike.

　　Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary, Dragonair, posted July passenger traffic figures that were 19.5 percent higher than in 2009, with the pair carrying 2.48 million passengers combined.

　　Regional airlines carried a record 17.2 million international passengers in July, up 20.4 percent from the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Source: Global Times