U.S. fares increased

Press, 14 March 1980, Page 3

U.S. fares increased

NZPA " ' Washington The American Civil Aviation Board has approved a 9 per cent increase in standard fares for American airlines flying to New Zealand and other Pacific destinations. The rise, to cover increasing fuel costs, will take effect from April 1. A spokesman for Air New Zealand said the airline would apply to the New Zealand and American governments for permission to make a similar increase. The rise will add nearly SUS6O to the standard SUS6S2 economy fare between Los Angeles and Auckland.

The Pacific increases are the biggest approved by the C.A.B. North Atlantic fares will rise by 8 per cent and those to and from Latin America by 6.1 per cent. The C.A.B. said the airlines had noted that aviation-fuel costs in the Pacific had risen by a monthly average of 3.91 per cent since last October. With the price of fuel now rising by an average 1.55 c a week, it would cost SUSI.I4 a gallon in the Pacific by May 1. In January, 1979, aviation fuel cost the airlines 40c a gallon. . The two American airlines flying to New Zealand are Pan-American and Continen-