AERONAUTICS: Fare Upping

When air fares were chopped by most big carriers early this year from 11¢ per mile to 5¢ and 6¢, the action was frankly temporary, to get some revenue, to get people into the air (TIME, Jan. 20).* Last week with a heavy summer traffic fairly assured, the expected return to 7¢ was announced by T. A. T.-Maddux lines, American Airways Inc. (operator for Aviation Corp.) and Southwest Air Fast Express. Theory: a “habit” of air travel was engendered by the low fares.

* Boeing system retained its IDC per mile rate between Chicago and San Francisco. Western Air Express likewise retained its current yc & 8c schedule for long hauls. But both companies have “bargain”‘ fares between San Francisco and Los Angeles.