NEW YORK — UAL Corp.’s United Airlines said today it raised its domestic fuel surcharge by $10 to $20 roundtrip, less than a week after the nation’s second-largest carrier increased fares to offset rising fuel expenses.
The move, which went into effect late Tuesday night, comes after oil prices topped $114 a barrel for the first time, and will likely put pressure on other airlines to follow suit.
Travelers in some markets who were paying a surcharge of $25 one-way will now see that charge increase to $35, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said. Fliers in markets where Chicago-based United previously did not apply a surcharge — mostly where the carrier competes head-to-head with low-cost carriers — will now be charged an additional $5 one-way.
United, the dominant carrier at Denver International Airport, last week raised fares by $4 to $30 round-trip, citing “record-breaking fuel costs.” That prompted other major carriers to increase their own ticket prices.
The added surcharge, which amounts to a fare increase, marks the 12th time this year airlines have tried to raise ticket prices across much of their route networks, according to airfare research Web site .
Four of the past increases were rolled back, however, after competitors failed to follow with increases of their own.
“My gut tells me that this attempt may not make it … but I cannot rule out the possibility of major matching in the next 5 days,” . Chief Executive Rick Seaney said in an e-mail about United’s latest move.
In early electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude for May delivery rose as high as $114.53 a barrel before retreating to $113.74 by the afternoon in Europe, down 5 cents from Monday’s close.
Urbanski said United expects to spend an additional $2 billion on its fuel bill this year.
United shares fell 14 cents to $22.18 in early trading.
