Prices up, but flights from Dayton still a bargain

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The Dayton International Airport remains among the most affordable in Ohio.

Joe Cogliano

Senior Reporter- Dayton Business Journal

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Flying out of Dayton got a little pricier, but it's still less expensive than most other places in Ohio.

A new Bureau of Transportation Statistics report shows the Dayton International Airport is the 41st most expensive place in the country to fly from with an average fare of $413 in the second quarter this year. Cincinnati, with an average fare of $523, took the highest spot on the list while Cleveland ($465) and Columbus ($417) were also more expensive than Dayton.

At $364, Akron was the only Ohio airport with a lower fare than Dayton.

Dayton International's prices should help draw passengers, which is critical as the airport is a major economic development driver in the region. In recent years, it has invested millions of dollars in upgrades to draw more passengers and service from air carriers.

Terrence Slaybaugh — director of aviation for the city of Dayton, which owns the airport — said inflation, lower supply and less competition are driving costs up around the country.

"We're still very happy, obviously, to have competitive fares with airports in the region," Slaybaugh said.

Dayton had the fifth largest increase in prices in the second quarter, a 9.4 percent hike compared to the same quarter in 2013. Across the country, the average second quarter air fare was $396, a 2.5 percent increase compared to last year.