(Newser)
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The big three US airlines responded to soaring oil prices by boosting most domestic prices by up to $60 roundtrip in the last few days, the AP reports. United led the way with increases from $10 to $60 Thursday; American and Delta followed suit yesterday. Meanwhile, low-cost AirTran raised its leisure tickets $30 and business tickets $50.
Spot prices for jet fuel in New York yesterday were 43% higher than they’d been early this year, analysts said; light, sweet crude oil closed at $132.19 a barrel. “Airlines have no choice but to pass on the cost of fuel to consumers,” said an American Airlines spokesman, adding that “slashing capacity” may be the next step.
