Airlines Try and Fail to Raise Fares
- At least six broad increase attempts failed over two months
- Carriers weigh effect of rising fuel and capacity expansion
Helane Becker Says Airlines Need to Raise Fares
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U.S. airlines are asking shareholders to believe they can raise ticket prices while ramping up the supply of seats. To Wall Street, that sounds like a fairy tale.
Six attempts at broad-based fare increases have failed in the last two months, most recently a bid last week by Delta Air Lines Inc. The last successful widespread price hike was Oct. 10, said JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst Jamie Baker, even as oil prices rebounded from a three-year slump.