Airline hikes fare 600%, draws senator's ire

US Airways planes sit on the ground at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in this Jan. 30, 2007 file photo. / AP Photo

PITTSBURGH - U.S. Senator Bob Casey says a big fare increase planned by U.S. Airways is "exorbitant."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Wednesday that Casey sent a letter to the company questioning the planned increase on the Pittsburgh to Philadelphia route.

A round-trip ticket is set to rise from $118 to $698 in January, after competitor Southwest Airlines drops the route. That's before taxes.

Casey says the fare hike would have a detrimental impact on businesses and individuals, the paper reports.

Earlier this week a spokeswoman for US Airways told the paper that ticket prices are based on what the market will bear.

[Samlv]

Actually, that fare is about right, considering the flights to/from ORD etc.

[cbs4111]

Brain-dead liberals like Bob Casey are always whining about something. Stop whining you fools, you can drive one-way in about 5 hours for less than $50. Flying only saves a couple of hours each way anyway. When US Airways sees the number of passengers dropping they'll lower the price.

[ammo17]

the faa is and always will be an arm of the airlines.the faa should be dissolved by congress and start a new agency with a new czar,the people they have there now are as useless and spineless as a snake.

[talkin2u]

What's really sad is that an airline executive or executives thought about it and came up with the idea to raise the price that much. In some circumstances it's government and corporate America paying the price for their employee travel. In the end their price hike hits us all because they are forcing companies to pay more, thus increasing rates for goods and services. What exec thought 600% was reasonable? I'd like to see one of those execs go to a store Sat morning and find an item that costs 1.98 on Friday now costs 10 dollars. Is it what the market will tolerate then?

[jscott418-21618367473133020464]

Nobody likes price increases. But why Senators are trying to force prices upon companies is beyond me? If people think its too expensive they will find alternatives. Obviously the other carrier pulled out because they could not make a profit. I believe companies have a right to make a profit and I also believe if a company over prices its product or service. That competition will eventually solve that issue. We do not need Government trying to do that for us. Otherwise why did the Government force deregulation on airlines if they wanted to continue controlling prices?

[nehicks]

What the market will bear - capitalism at it's finest. US Airways will find that there are few people who will pay that price for a 1 hour flight. When they can't fill the airplane, their choice is to lower the cost or cut the route. It wouldn't hurt for all those who would take that flight to send an e-mail to US Airways and let them know what they think. Fill their mailboxes with negative thoughts to help them over this stupid decision.

[aChangeOfIdeas]

wow, $118 was a really good price. Check out the prices on some other "short" flights. They were very underpriced in comparison. So Bob, drive instead. Give those Turnpike toll takers a reason to make their ridiculously high wages.

[tcato-2009]

I am not a fan of always late US airways.... They have awful company policies. They should atleast be nice as they screw you over..... I hope they go out of business to make room for anyone but them. Jet blue we love you! Come to Albuquerque,

[OnTheCrown]

This price won't last for long. Another carrier will come in (increase supply) and/or commuters will drive (decrease demand). Prices will always find its equilibrium.

[Lerianis4]

No, they won't. The fact is that airlines are one industry that 'collude' on prices on a regular basis.

[OnTheCrown]

Then why didn't they 'collude' before one of the carriers dropped out?

[RichZubaty]

Welcome to deregulation suckers. They're like heroin pushers. Get you addicted to the "service" and then push the price as high as they can get. Give me Democratic Socialism or give me Death.

[luadda22]

How about you drive. It's only about 5 hours, most of the time it will take you that long or longer to fly.