The latest American Express Airfare Index for the Asia/Pacific region shows increases in airfares on many routes, particularly those from Australia and Japan.
Some modest increases were also recorded on routes from Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Taiwan.
According to, the Third Quarter (Q3) 2004 American Express Asia Pacific Index results confirm that First Class and Business Class airfares have continued to increase more rapidly over the past several years than those in other classes of travel, said Kyle Davis, VP and GM of Business Travel Asia Pacific, Australia.
“The market has seen airlines upgrade their premium products, reduce premium cabin seating numbers and differentially price this enhanced offering.
“Additionally, there is industry confidence in the long-term growth in passenger demand, which is reflected in a wave of new aircraft orders from a number of Asia/Pacific airlines.”
Several airlines have increased published airfares in response to high oil prices, while others have only introduced a temporary surcharge which is not captured in the published airfare data.
In most countries, the current surcharges are adding approximately two to three percent over and above the airfare increases recorded in this survey.