United raises fares as fuel prices soar

Rising gas prices have been bothering American drivers for years. The problem has become steadily worse in recent months and now airlines are admitting to feeling the pinch too.

United Airlines announced last week (Friday, June 9) that it would raise fares on domestic routes in a bid to fend off mounting fuel costs.

According to reports, fares were to be pushed up by $5 each way on routes where it was competing with low-cost airlines. United's less competitive markets experienced a sharper rise, up to $10 each way.

Figures released by the Air Transport Association show that airlines' fuel costs have become much more of a burden recently, with a gallon of jet fuel costing almost one-third more today than it did a year ago.

The news follows a similar announcement last week from Delta Air Lines, one of United's competitors, which was forced to raise fuel surcharges by $10 each way on its transatlantic fares.

© Adfero Ltd