In the case of the U.S., the model remains flawed: costs exceed revenue. The solution here isn't any different than the one the airlines have pursued: Cut spending and raise revenue. None of this is popular -- not higher ticket prices, not higher taxes, not bag fees, not reduced health care spending. But options are limited.
Sub-committees of both the House and the Senate are studying bills that would force airlines to drop the fee for the first checked bag and would prohibit fees for carry-on bags. The latter restriction would apply to a single carrier, Spirit (SAVE), which innovates by charging rock-bottom fares and subsidizing them with fees for the services travelers use. Does that really need to be illegal?
The bills are misguided. Fees are unpopular, but they create revenue. Revenue keeps businesses and countries afloat.
-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C.
>To contact the writer of this article, click here: Ted Reed >To follow the writer on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/tedreednc.Select the service that is right for you!
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