Rising fuel costs >>>> leads to >>>>> higher operating costs
for airlines >>>>> leading to >>>>> higher ticket prices.

That's Economics 101.

Can physics help?

Yes!

Unfortunately, airline executives are not noted for their knowledge of physics,
with a few exceptions.

But airline executives need to be informed that their aircraft need to fly
SLOWER to save fuel, reduce operating expenses, and pass on the savings to
passengers.

EXAMPLE: If an aircraft is cruising at 10 kilometres altitude and reduces
its cruising speed by 10 percent from [say] 900 kilometres per hour
to 810 kilometres per hour over a cruising distance of [say] 900
kilometres it will need to fly an additional eleven-twelve minutes at
that slower speed to cover that distance...But it will save
fuel.
If it required 10,000 litres of fuel to fly 900 klicks at 900kmh,
it will need only 8100 litres to fly the same distance at 810kmh.
Yes, there are physical and operational variables to consider,
but...It's still a win win situation.