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Airlines cap hurricane evacuation fares amid allegations of price gouging
Following allegations of price gouging, airlines have announced price caps on air fares for flyers fleeing the wrath of Hurricane Irma.
For the few seats still available out of Florida, JetBlue capped fares at $99 one-way and at $159 for connecting flights through September 13.
It also applies on some Caribbean routes.
"We want those trying to leave ahead of the hurricane to focus on their safe evacuation rather than worry about the cost of flights," JetBlue spokesman Philip Stewart told the Miami Herald.
American Airlines also capped economy airfares at $99 for the same dates.
Meanwhile Delta Air Lines promised to charge no more than $399 for flights to or from South Florida including for first-class seats.
"Delta has been examining and adjusting fares in Florida since early this week, when Irma’s path became apparent and demand to fly out of the area surged," Delta said in a statement.
The airline had taken heat after accusations of price gouging when one customer took to social media complaining of a six-fold hike in airfare to leave Florida.
Industry analysts say this is purely down to automatic dynamic pricing as seats become scarcer, rather than wilfully jacking up fares.
At least 300 flights have been scrapped at Miami Airport for Friday.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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