Citing cost pressures, several carriers hike fares

ATLANTA – Heading into the Christmas holiday, some major carriers have raised air fares to offset added cost pressures.

…[US Airways spokeswoman Andrea] Rader said US Airways was raising prices

American spokesman Tim Wagner said the fare increase was necessary to offset higher fuel costs. He said jet fuel prices are about 15 percent higher than this time last year and spot fuel is about 40 percent higher than this time in 2004.