Chicago travelers planning to fly this holiday season could face higher airfare as rising fuel prices put pressure on airline costs.Fares are expected to rise dramatically in the next few weeks, according to Joseph Schwieterman, director of DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan D evelopment.“Fares a month from now will probably be at least 20% higher than now,” Schwieterman said.Average airfares were already about 2% higher over the Labor Day weekend than they were a year earlier, while fares to some of the most popular destinations were up about 20%, according to auto group AAA.In addition to raising prices, airlines are also cutting flights to less popular destinations. At a Morgan Stanley conference earlier this month, Mike Leskinen, chief financial officer of Chicago-based United Airlines, said the company is cutting several December flights that “don’t make sense in a higher fuel environment.”"As you look into the fourth quarter, there'll be some flights in December that we won't fly that we thought we were going to fly," Leskinen said. "If fuel remains high, we'll make some adjustments into the first quarter and beyond into 2027."American Airlines also announced plans to cut some December flights at the conference.This will also be the first holiday season without Spirit Airlines, which was known for its affordable pricing before shutting down in May. Schwieterman said Spirit’s closure has hurt important markets, such as routes from Chicago to West Coast cities.His advice for Chicagoans looking for a getaway? Book early, consider shorter trips, and avoid traveling the Friday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.“Customer demand is strong and it’s hard to see how that’s all going to sort itself out, but we know that high fares are going to be a part of it,” Schwieterman said.Molly Hart, spokesperson for the Illinois chapter of AAA, echoed the sentiment, adding that waiting for better deals often backfires.According to a recent AAA travel survey, nearly half of Illinois travelers who delayed booking ultimately paid more.“The best time to book is when the trip fits your budget, schedule and priorities — not when pressured,” she said. ...read more read less