The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released in third quarter 2023 average air fare report today. The report shows that the average U.S. domestic air fare decreased in the third quarter of 2023 to $368, down 6.9% from the second quarter 2023 inflation-adjusted fare of $395. Passenger demand decreased in the third quarter to 86.6 million passengers, down from 88.8 million passengers in the second quarter. The BTS reports on itinerary fares, which are round-trip fares, but includes one-way tickets if no return is purchased. Fares are based on a sample of approximately 10% of tickets sold.
At Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, the average domestic inflation-adjusted air fare decreased in the third quarter of 2023 to $420.97, down 3% from the second quarter 2023 fare of $448.32. The third quarter 2023 fare was 10% less than third quarter 2019, and 44% less than in third quarter 2000.
Passenger demand at ICT increased in the third quarter to 197,203 domestic enplanements, up 7% from Q3 2022 and up 3% from Q2 2023.
The chart below shows average fares at peer airports – airports that are similarly situated to ICT. Wichita’s average fare is comparable to those in the region.
| Airport | Q3 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q3 2022 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2000 | Q3 2023 vs Q2 2023 | Q3 2023 vs Q3 2022 | Q3 2023 vs Q3 2019 | Q3 2023 vs Q3 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $407.49 | $441.28 | $435.54 | $443.70 | $534.86 | -33.79 | -8% | -28.05 | -6% | -36.21 | -8% | -127.37 | -24% |
| Oklahoma City | $424.58 | $455.95 | $443.71 | $465.96 | $551.89 | -31.37 | -7% | -19.13 | -4% | -41.38 | -9% | -127.31 | -23% |
| Des Moines | $374.12 | $397.32 | $391.85 | $462.23 | $770.45 | -23.19 | -6% | -17.73 | -5% | -88.11 | -19% | -396.32 | -51% |
| Tulsa | $418.78 | $448.32 | $420.23 | $480.14 | $546.13 | -29.55 | -7% | -1.46 | 0% | -61.37 | -13% | -127.35 | -23% |
| Colorado Springs | $366.35 | $407.68 | $396.02 | $461.34 | $741.48 | -41.33 | -10% | -29.67 | -7% | -94.99 | -21% | -375.13 | -51% |
| Little Rock | $432.30 | $470.19 | $453.35 | $500.52 | $532.11 | -37.89 | -8% | -21.04 | -5% | -68.22 | -14% | -99.81 | -19% |
| Northwest Arkansas | $471.00 | $505.57 | $505.57 | $559.83 | $754.72 | -34.56 | -7% | -34.57 | -7% | -88.83 | -16% | -283.72 | -38% |
| Wichita | $420.97 | $448.32 | $435.59 | $469.31 | $747.31 | -27.35 | -6% | -14.62 | -3% | -48.34 | -10% | -326.34 | -44% |
| Cedar Rapids | $408.73 | $454.74 | $446.06 | $469.69 | $824.25 | -46.01 | -10% | -37.33 | -8% | -60.96 | -13% | -415.52 | -50% |
| National Average: | $367.79 | $395.18 | $395.99 | $412.60 | $336.66 | -27.39 | -7% | -28.20 | -7% | -44.81 | -11% | 31.13 | 9% |
