[sak9645]

The price of airline tickets is affected by many factors. If there is a big trade show every year in a certain country, rates will go up, because the airlines know that businesses will pay anything to have their people attend. If there is a large national holiday, such as a New Year's celebration, rates will go up, because lots of expatriates come back home to participate. If the country has a reputation for good winter skiing -- or good summer resorts -- rates will go up in those seasons.

The lowest rates are usually found during the lowest demand period. As an example, if a country is known to be rainy at a certain time of year, tourists aren't going to be as attracted to it, so airlines may offer incentives to get people to travel.

Airlines also offer the cheapest fares to people willing to accept a lot of restrictions. So if, for example, you are willing to buy a non-refundable ticket or a ticket with a fairly large penalty if you must change your dates of travel, you will do better than if you want an unrestricted ticket. Some adoptive families won't accept a lot of restrictions, since they know that their timetable could easily change; however, some are willing to take the risk.

Internet prices are often lower than those charged to people who call an airline by phone. However, it is important to shop at reputable sites and to read all the fine print carefully.

I went to a cheap Internet site and saw a rate for $1500 per person, flying United and Aeroflot between DC and Bishkek, leaving on 9/1 and returning on 9/15. It is non-refundable, but has only a $25 change fee. However, I've never used this particular site, and don't know how reliable it is.

Sharon