New numbers from the federal government show that Wichita air fares were down slightly for the late-summer and early fall last year.

The federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics said the inflation-adjusted average fare at Eisenhower National Airport was $392.52 for the third quarter of 2019, down one percent from the same period a year earlier.

Wichita had the only fare decrease in the region.   Oklahoma City was the same during the third quarter of last year, while Tulsa fares were up two percent and Kansas City was up three percent.   Omaha fares were six percent higher.   Air fares across the U.S. were one percent lower on average.

In the third quarter of the year 2000, the inflation-adjusted average fare in Wichita was $625.03, which is 37 percent higher than today’s average fare.    The city reports that Wichita’s fare is now in line with the rest of the region thanks to increased competition, particularly from low-fare airlines.     Lower fares and new destinations have helped to boost travel demand over the past seven years.