The Cost of Aviation Fuel

Most flight schools now have what is called a fuel surcharge, which is in addition to a flight training program cost.  This covers the increasing cost of fuel, which, as you know if you have a car, has been increasing quite rapidly.  If a flight school did not have this fuel surcharge, they would have to change their training prices all the time -- making it confusing for the student, the prospective student, and the school itself.

Even many airlines charge fuel surcharges now, on top of your ticket price -- or they build in the increasing cost of fuel into their ticket price. And if you fly on commercial flights, you know the price of a ticket can change from one day to the next, depending on many things, including the cost of flying that aircraft.

To help you better understand the situation, let's talk about commercial airlines. Between 2000 and the first quarter of 2008, the price of oil has risen from $30.38 to more than $135. However, U.S. domestic air fares (adjusted for inflation) have actually decreased over the same time period. Hence the problem. And fuel expenses now account for 40% of passenger revenue, up from 15% in 2000.

As you know, the commercial airline industry has continued to grow in spite of this. There is still a great need for pilots.  To find out more about flight training and a career for yourself as a commercial pilot, contact Phoenix East Aviation.