October 20, 2017

On October 11, the Eno Center for Transportation released the first of a series of policy briefs that make up the latest installment of Eno Aviation Insights. The series focuses on answering important questions affecting the U.S. aviation industry from an independent and objective perspective.

These briefs are timely as the scrutiny on many airports and airlines has increased in recent years. High-profile customer service mishaps, industry consolidation, and growing demand keep airlines and other industry players in the public eye almost constantly. However, the complexity and nuances of the industry often leave the media and policymakers unclear on the true state of the industry and how it has evolved over the years.

Eno Aviation Insights answers the questions that the media and consumers regularly ask but are difficult to dissect. These policy briefs not only look at system-wide averages, but also discern what is happening in markets across the United States. For example:

1. Is air travel becoming pricier for travelers?
2. Jet fuel prices have dropped significantly. Why haven’t ticket prices?
3. How are airlines making money?
4. What effect does airline consolidation have on passengers?
5. What is the impact of airline consolidation on specific metropolitan areas?
6. Which metropolitan areas have the best airline service?
7. What is responsible for most aircraft delays?
8. What would be the impact of corporatize air traffic control?
9. How should the federal government deal with airport traffic congestion?
10. What is the role of the federal government in supporting air service to very small communities?

“The goal of this project was to look at more than just the average numbers across the board” said Eno President and CEO, Robert Puentes. “We dove deeper into the data to examine what is happening in individual markets across the United States. The results were often times surprising and I believe they will change the way many look at the aviation industry today.”

On October 11, Eno released its first brief – Question 1: Is air travel becoming pricier for travelers? This initial brief examines domestic airfares, fees, and taxes in relation to inflation.

This week, Eno released its second brief – Question 2: Jet fuel prices have dropped significantly. Why haven’t ticket prices? This explores the relationship between airlines’ total operational expenses and ticket prices.