08/10/2021

Fares at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International airport ticked upward in the first quarter of 2021 after hitting their lowest level in history late last year at the height of the pandemic.

The average fare at CVG was $248 during the first three months of the year, up from $237 during the final three months of 2020. The fourth quarter fares were an all-time low since the federal government began tracking fare data 25 years ago. The national average was $260.

CVG’s fares were the 30th-cheapest among the top 100 U.S. airports, not including ones in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. CVG was tied with San Jose, Calif.

The only airports in the Midwest with cheaper fares were Cleveland and both Chicago airports.

The pandemic drastically reduced fares at CVG and most airports nationwide, with demand for travel reduced during the pandemic’s peak. But currently, leisure travel has almost entirely recovered, with the airlines’ lucrative business travel slowly increasing each month. The Delta variant of the coronavirus could impact how quickly business travel recovers. CVG’s passenger traffic is at 60% of 2019 levels currently.

“As leisure and some business travel returns, we have plenty of options for travelers whether it’s ensuring you have a nonstop flight and/or ensuring you can secure the flight at an affordable price,” said CVG CEO Candace McGraw.

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