Learning objective: To understand how airline pricing varies across dates, institutions, and seasonal demand.
Conceptual Foundations
The concept of airline ticket (boleto de avión: documento de transporte aéreo) refers to the contractual right to travel with a specific carrier. A key institution in this context is KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij; Compañía Real de Aviación Neerlandesa), the national flag carrier of the Netherlands and one of the world’s oldest airlines in continuous operation. The notion of departure city (ciudad de salida: origen de un viaje) is exemplified by Mexico City (Ciudad de México: capital de México), an international hub that connects Latin America with Europe, Asia, and North America.
The reference to September (septiembre: noveno mes del calendario gregoriano) and October (octubre: décimo mes del calendario gregoriano) introduces the concept of seasonality (estacionalidad: variación de precios por demanda temporal) in the airline industry. Within this framework, low season (temporada baja: periodo de menor demanda turística) typically yields lower ticket costs due to reduced passenger volumes. Conversely, high-demand months—such as September for transatlantic travel—often result in higher fares.
The expression of approximate costs—18,000 Mexican pesos (dieciocho mil pesos mexicanos: moneda nacional de México) versus 12,000 Mexican pesos (doce mil pesos mexicanos)—illustrates how airfare pricing (tarifas aéreas: costos de boletos de avión) is not fixed but responds to temporal distance (distancia temporal: cercanía o lejanía de la fecha de viaje) and market demand. Finally, the act of searching for information (investigación de vuelos: búsqueda de tarifas y rutas) highlights the consumer’s active role in comparing alternatives before final purchase. ✈️📉🌍
Practical Applications
When applying these concepts, one observes that flying with KLM from Mexico City in September tends to be more expensive than in October. This disparity reflects seasonality, where international travelers increase demand at the end of summer. In contrast, October, classified as low season, offers reduced prices because leisure travel from the Northern Hemisphere decreases after summer holidays.
Comparing 18,000 pesos in September with 12,000 pesos in October demonstrates a cost reduction of approximately one-third, which is pedagogically useful to illustrate elasticity of demand. In practical terms, this difference may influence decisions on whether to prioritize specific dates or optimize savings by delaying travel.
Another critical factor is the uncertainty of the return date (fecha de regreso: momento de vuelta en un viaje). Airlines often adjust fares depending on the interval between departure and return, meaning that an open or uncertain schedule can increase costs. Hence, defining travel dates early provides not only clarity for planning but also tangible economic benefits.
Geographically, Mexico City serves as an instructive case because of its status as a high-volume departure point with strong connections to European hubs. Institutionally, KLM, as a legacy carrier, exemplifies how traditional airlines manage seasonal pricing structures differently from low-cost carriers. For students of geography, business, or tourism, this example emphasizes how cultural and economic cycles (e.g., holidays, school calendars) directly shape international airfare markets. 🌎💸📅
Sources
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Official site. https://www.klm.com
- Secretaría de Turismo de México (SECTUR). “Temporadas altas y bajas en turismo.” Gobierno de México, 2023.
- International Air Transport Association (IATA). “Airline Pricing Dynamics.” IATA Publications, 2022.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 