Why you'll be paying more for flights this Christmas

<p>Anyone planning to travel this summer can expect to have to pay more for airfares.</p> <p><b>By Susan Edmunds of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/2136830/why-you-ll-be-paying-more-for-flights-this-christmas" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a></p> <p>Economist Benje Patterson said fares would be higher over the Christmas period than they had been a year ago.</p> <p>Stats NZ's latest data showed people booking domestic flights in September were paying 5.1% more than the same time a year earlier.</p> <p>"That increase is relatively modest compared to international airfares, which were up a much sharper 12.3% over the same period," Patterson said.</p> <p>"The reality is that the fuel crisis has put upward pressure on airfares. We are also seeing some increases in accommodation prices, although nowhere near to the same extent.</p> <p>"All this means that holidays are going to be relatively expensive for many New Zealanders this summer. I would anticipate that domestic travellers will continue their recent trend of being relatively conservative with their spending.