Summer travel sticker shock coming as airlines raise fares
Airlines are citing rising fuel costs as the reason for fare increases this week.
The four biggest airlines – American, United, Delta and Northwest — are among airlines raising rates.
United and Northwest raised fares 3$, while American and Delta raised fares 5$ each way.
Southwest Airlines Inc. resisted the move, with a spokeswoman saying the carrier had no intention of raising rates.
The reason for the increase: record high fuel charges.
“All the carriers are squeezed in a vise between lower yields and higher fuel costs,” United CEO Glenn Tilton said during a US House transportation subcommittee hearing on airline pensions.
He said fuel prices are approaching $60 a barrel.
“Not surprisingly, predictions that the US airline industry would return to profitability have not come true,” he added.
He estimated a dollar increase in the cost of an oil barrel costs the airline $80 million a year.
“This is a good way to cover some of that added expense,” he said.” We still have historically low air fares. Consumers are still getting a good deal.”
North of the US, both Air Canada and WestJet also cited fuel prices as the reason for hiking fares. Rate increases ranged from $6.50 to $15.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025