Not so long ago airfares went mainly to the airlines. Now when I look at a return ticket from UK to USA only about 1/3 of the fare goes to the airline, the rest is taxes and charges.
I get the definite impression that Govenments have an unspoked disapproval of their citizens travelling abroad. Or is it those pesky foreigners coming in.
In any case they are down on aviation.
Increasing airline efficiency is rewarded by higher taxes and charges.
Unless salaries or disposable income start to increase, air travel is going to be slowly strangled.