HONOLULU (KHON2) — Frequent fliers to Hawaii say they’ve noticed higher ticket prices. Tourism officials confirm they’re not wrong.
According to the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, airfares for flights between mainland destinations increased by 23.2% in 2022.
The following year, prices went up by only 0.9% – less than the inflation rate – but, that’s not the case for the costs flying to the islands.
DBEDT’s Chief Economist, Eugene Tian, said airfares for flights to Honolulu from the West Coast increased. Ticket prices for San Francisco to Honolulu increased by 9%.
Costs flying in from Las Vegas rose by 13.5%.
Experts blame inflation, the cost oil, and higher demand to vacation in Hawaii. To make travel more affordable, Tian suggests keeping an eye on out-of-season deals.
“Our slow season is actually starting from February to April,” stated Tian. “Not only for airfare [but] hotel rooms and also the rental cars.”