Airlines have raised fares to keep prices at the same price as they were when the taxes were in effect. Fliers May Not See Savings From FAA Shutdown has the details, but is a bit wrong, Delta has raised it's prices too (I just heard it on the local newscast a few minutes ago). I echo the sentiment of those interviewed for the story about the partial FAA shutdown and passengers told of the fare increases in the fact that with all the nickel and diming that the airlines are already doing to us, they could let passengers save those few bucks (about $30 per ticket in Atlanta) instead of pocketing the millions they are making off of them.

Airlines have raised fares to keep prices at the same price as they were when the taxes were in effect. Fliers May Not See Savings From FAA Shutdown has the details, but is a bit wrong, Delta has raised it's prices too (I just heard it on the local newscast a few minutes ago). I echo the sentiment of those interviewed for the story about the partial FAA shutdown and passengers told of the fare increases in the fact that with all the nickel and diming that the airlines are already doing to us, they could let passengers save those few bucks (about $30 per ticket in Atlanta) instead of pocketing the millions they are making off of them.

So you know what will happen when the FAA is running again and reinstates the tax? It will be added to the new fares.

I agree, the prices will not drop, but go up as you said. The airlines were trying to raise fares, but SW held them back a couple of weeks ago. Now is the perfect time to get the fare increase the other airlines were wanting unless SW drops the fare increase once the taxes are reinstated.