Airlines, Revenue | featured news

US Airways is blaming a dip in revenue on federal budget cuts, Reuters reports. The carrier says it thinks the cuts have reduced demand for last-minute tickets, which typically go for the highest fares.

United Airlines says Superstorm Sandy cut its October revenue by about $90 million as it was forced to cancel almost 5,300 flights.

If the sting of paying to board early, check a bag or enjoy a few extra inches of legroom has gotten a bit sharper lately, you’re not alone. According to a new report, the world’s airlines will earn an estimated $36.1 billion in ancillary revenues this year.

A $10 priority-boarding fee here, a $25 checked-bag fee there; pretty soon, you’re talking real money. $22.6 billion, in fact. According to the annual Amadeus Review of Ancillary Revenue Results released Monday, that’s how much ancillary revenue 50 airlines around the world reported making in 2011, a 66-percent jump from the $13.5 billion that the 47 airlines that reported such income made in 2009.

While the nation's airlines continue to blame higher fuel costs for cutting into profits, the industry continues to pocket hefty revenue from fees.

Discount carrier posts 12.9% gain in fourth-quarter earnings. The discount carrier said net income totaled $131 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $116 million, or16 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. Operating revenue rose 14.8%, to $3.1 billion.

The industry is beginning to show signs of a recovery, with modest increases in revenue and forecasts of growing demand this year. After more than a year of slumping demand and sinking revenue, the nation's airline industry is beginning to show signs of a recovery, with modest increases in revenue and forecasts of growing demand this year.

Delta, after a dismal first quarter, announces the fee, expected to bring in more than $100 million annually.