BOZEMAN – The increasing cost of jet fuel might be increasing the flight of your plane ticket this fall.
Jet fuel costs about 50¢ more than last year, which might raise airline ticket prices at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and others in Montana.
“That has an impact, just like our own fuel prices for our own vehicles, we pay more for that. So we’ll probably see some impact here,” said Bozeman Airport Director Brian Sprenger.
But the cost of jet fuel isn’t the only thing that impacts ticket prices from airline to airline.
“Each airline has its own cost structure for staffing and other support, what are the competitive issues, how the weather has been, are they able to avoid flying around weather. That could impact things. Also, amount of deicing fluid used in the winter period and, not to mention, purely demand,” Sprenger said.
Despite airline cuts and higher prices, there’s no reason for immediate concern at the Bozeman airport, which is performing well.
“I’m not seeing any reason for concern. We’re seeing airlines adding seats into our market which indicates a strength in the market and their willingness to do that means that, hopefully, we have the competitiveness that keeps the fares in check,” Sprenger said.
