Flight fees could double

Cheap flights could become more expensive by the end of the year after President Bush's administration called for a doubling in airline security fees.

Under the proposals, which were revealed by an anonymous official, the charge for a nonstop flight would increase from $2.50 to $5. This will cost airlines in the region of an extra $746 million each year.

Until now many airlines have absorbed increasing flight taxes and fuel costs because of the huge competition for passengers. However, in the event of this latest increase, low-cost carriers may be forced to pass on the fees to their passengers.

Speaking to Bloomberg, industry expert Aaron Taylor, explained that the proposed fees will impact on low-cost carriers in particular.

Taylor says that the current security fee structure is skewed to the disadvantage of traditional carriers. As cheap-flight operators fly a higher proportion of nonstop flights the increase in this fee levels the playing field.

Passengers taking connecting flights will not have to pay any increase on the $10 they are already charged.

Security fees go directly into providing and improving airport security across the country.

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