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Weak Demand Pushes Airfares 'Crazy Low'

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: February 6, 2009

TAMPA - Despite an airline strategy to eliminate flights and use smaller aircraft, airfare bargains continue to abound.

Airlines seldom discount Florida during the peak spring travel season, but attractive fares are out there.

For example, airfarewatchdog.com, which tracks fares but does not sell tickets, reported $195 round-trip fares between Tampa International Airport and Denver on Northwest Airlines, $205 round-trip fares between Tampa and Vail, Colo., on American Airlines, and $198 round-trip fares between Tampa and San Francisco on Southwest.
Spirit Airlines is offering $9 and $18 one-way fares between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale on select days.

"Fares have come down, and it's because the airlines can't cut capacity fast enough to keep up with falling demand," said George Hobica of airfarewatchdog.com. "Airfares in the United States are crazy, crazy low compared to other commodities."

Farecast.live.com said nationwide fares for spring break travel from Feb. 28 through April 5 are down more than 15 percent from 2008, and about the same level as 2007 spring break.

From now through April, TIA will have about 13 percent fewer seats on departing flights compared with last year.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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