Other airlines follow fare increases

American, Northwest, and discount carrier JetBlue Airways have added to the list of airlines raising their fares as a result of soaring fuel prices.

Last week Delta, United, and Continental Airlines all announced their fares would be higher, and now it appears the other competitors are following suit facing similar market conditions.

Crude oil prices have now gone up to $67 per barrel, and this is usually an airline's second-largest expense.

American, the US' largest carrier, raised domestic fares by $10 to $20 per round trip. This increase was in line with the hikes by Delta and Northwest.

American and Northwest both saw passenger traffic increase in July,, but still found it necessary to increase their airfares.

JetBlue raised its Florida fares by $10 per round trip, as did smaller, discount carrier AirTran Airways.

The only airline that has yet to announce higher fares is discount carrier Southwest Airlines. The company saw traffic jump 12 per cent in July and continues to make more money than most other airlines, despite the economic situation.

Regardless, experts are saying that soon enough Southwest will also have to increase its airfares.

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