Fees may not be enough to save airlines

Higher fares and new fees are irritating air travelers, but airlines still can’t raise money or cut flights fast enough to cover ever-higher fuel prices.

In the view of airline executives and analysts, the industry is facing its toughest challenge yet, with little prospect that carriers can return to profits anytime soon.

Even though most of the big airline companies have large cash stockpiles, analysts suggest they could burn through their cash and go bankrupt by early next year. Already, several smaller airlines have filed for bankruptcy protection or simply shut down in recent months.

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