Air fare

The average domestic and international air fare (all types) rose 4.0% from $235.50 during the first quarter of 2010 to $244.90 in the first quarter of 2011. This marked the fifth consecutive year-over-year quarterly advance.

The average domestic air fare (all types) paid by passengers was $188.30 in the first quarter, up 9.9% from $171.40 reported during the first quarter of 2010. During the same period, the total average international air fare was $303.80, down 3.7% from $315.40 in the first quarter of 2010.

Average domestic air fares climbed significantly across most of the selected Canadian cities of enplanement in the first quarter. Toronto (+13.4%), Calgary (+13.3%) and Edmonton (+13.1%) showed the highest increases in air fares over the same quarter of 2010. Toronto ($218.70) remained the city with the highest average domestic air fare, followed by Vancouver ($200.50), Montréal ($198.60) and Ottawa ($198.20). These four major cities of enplanement also posted average domestic air fares above the national average.

Note: Average air fares are calculated for each flight stage. When the passenger boards the aircraft at one airport and departs the aircraft at another airport, this is considered a flight stage.

The Fare Basis Survey covers Air Canada, Jazz, Air Canada's Canadian regional code-share partners, Air Transat and WestJet.

Available on CANSIM: tables 401-0003, 401-0041 and 401-0042.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2708.

Data tables are available from the Key resource module of our website under Summary tables.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-866-500-8400; fax: 613-951-0009; transportationstatistics@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.