Read the following texts and table with financial data from an S&P 500 earnings report carefully.Based on the question-answer history (if provided), answer the last question. The answer may require mathematical calculation based on the data provided.


( 2 ) our union-represented mainline employees are covered by agreements that are not currently amendable . joint collective bargaining agreements ( jcbas ) have been reached with post-merger employee groups , except the maintenance , fleet service , stock clerks , maintenance control technicians and maintenance training instructors represented by the twu-iam association who are covered by separate cbas that become amendable in the third quarter of 2018 . until those agreements become amendable , negotiations for jcbas will be conducted outside the traditional rla bargaining process as described above , and , in the meantime , no self-help will be permissible . ( 3 ) among our wholly-owned regional subsidiaries , the psa mechanics and flight attendants have agreements that are now amendable and are engaged in traditional rla negotiations . the envoy passenger service employees are engaged in traditional rla negotiations for an initial cba . the piedmont fleet and passenger service employees have reached a tentative five-year agreement which is subject to membership ratification . for more discussion , see part i , item 1a . risk factors 2013 201cunion disputes , employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions may adversely affect our operations . 201d aircraft fuel our operations and financial results are significantly affected by the availability and price of jet fuel , which is our second largest expense . based on our 2018 forecasted mainline and regional fuel consumption , we estimate that a one cent per gallon increase in aviation fuel price would increase our 2018 annual fuel expense by $ 45 million . the following table shows annual aircraft fuel consumption and costs , including taxes , for our mainline and regional operations for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 ( gallons and aircraft fuel expense in millions ) . year gallons average price per gallon aircraft fuel expense percent of total operating expenses . <table class='wikitable'><tr><td>1</td><td>year</td><td>gallons</td><td>average priceper gallon</td><td>aircraft fuelexpense</td><td>percent of totaloperating expenses</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>2017</td><td>4352</td><td>$ 1.73</td><td>$ 7510</td><td>19.7% ( 19.7 % )</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>2016</td><td>4347</td><td>1.42</td><td>6180</td><td>17.7% ( 17.7 % )</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>2015</td><td>4323</td><td>1.72</td><td>7456</td><td>21.4% ( 21.4 % )</td></tr></table> as of december 31 , 2017 , we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption . as such , and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption , we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices . our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption , although we review that policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors . fuel prices have fluctuated substantially over the past several years . we cannot predict the future availability , price volatility or cost of aircraft fuel . natural disasters ( including hurricanes or similar events in the u.s . southeast and on the gulf coast where a significant portion of domestic refining capacity is located ) , political disruptions or wars involving oil-producing countries , changes in fuel-related governmental policy , the strength of the u.s . dollar against foreign currencies , changes in access to petroleum product pipelines and terminals , speculation in the energy futures markets , changes in aircraft fuel production capacity , environmental concerns and other unpredictable events may result in fuel supply shortages , distribution challenges , additional fuel price volatility and cost increases in the future . see part i , item 1a . risk factors 2013 201cour business is very dependent on the price and availability of aircraft fuel . continued periods of high volatility in fuel costs , increased fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have a significant negative impact on our operating results and liquidity . 201d seasonality and other factors due to the greater demand for air travel during the summer months , revenues in the airline industry in the second and third quarters of the year tend to be greater than revenues in the first and fourth quarters of the year . general economic conditions , fears of terrorism or war , fare initiatives , fluctuations in fuel prices , labor actions , weather , natural disasters , outbreaks of disease and other factors could impact this seasonal pattern . therefore , our quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year , and historical operating results in a quarterly or annual period are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. .
Question: what was the change in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel from the year of 2016 to 2017?
Answer: 0.31
Question: and what was the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in 2016?

1.42