Surcharge increased because of rising fuel costs

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 9:43 a.m.

AMR said the $3 increase on a one-way flight is part of a surcharge initiated in February that will jump to $13 on a one-way flight, and $26 on a round trip, effective immediately.

"Fuel prices are just stuck at these very, very high levels," said David Swierenga, an industry economist at AeroEco in Vienna, Virginia. "It's been the one fly in the ointment for airline recovery."

The average fuel price will likely be 89 cents a gallon this year, the highest level in 10 years, said Swierenga, who predicts the price will fall to 83 cents next year.

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