Average air fares are up 4 percent from this time last year, according to a government report. This fourth-quarter hike followed a 1 percent increase in the third quarter.

Nebraska travelers weren’t hit as badly as some in the fourth quarter, though. Omaha’s average fare increased – but only by 1.6 percent – to $319.94. (The report didn’t include data on fares out of Lincoln.)

The state’s neighbors to the south had better news, though. Fares out of Witchita, Kan., dropped 6.5 percent – the third largest decrease reported.

According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, overall increases pushed average air fares for the fourth quarter of 2007 to the highest average price in more than a year. The report bases average fares on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares include taxes and fees. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares” or a few abnormally high reported fares.