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November 27, 2009

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Two carriers raise fares

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999 | 10:56 a.m.

Air travelers watch today to see whether other major airlines would match leisure and business fare increases by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Blaming higher jet fuel prices, American, the nation's No. 2 carrier, raised its fares 3 percent across the board late Monday. Delta, the No. 3 carrier, quickly followed, but industry leader United Air Lines, along with Northwest and Continental, did not immediately match the fare hike.

"We filed the increase on the basis of upward pressure on our operating costs, led primarily by fuel costs," said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American. He said the Fort Worth-based carrier's fuel costs jumped 15 percent in the third quarter and were continuing to rise in the fourth quarter.

Crude oil prices have more than doubled since the start of the year and are hovering near an 8-year high as OPEC members appear to be sticking to production cuts aimed at lifting oil prices.

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