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Rising fares, combined with fewer flights and more fees for passengers, helped the airline industry in 2010 post its first moneymaking year since 2007. The government estimates that the country's eight largest airlines are likely to earn more than $5 billion this year and $5.6 billion in 2012. But while the airlines are making money off the baggage fees, it turns out the resulting increase in the number carry-on luggage is costing taxpayers about a quarter-billion dollars a year. But Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress this week that the luggage fees have prompted more passengers to hold onto their bags, which means more items for Transportation Security Administration officers to inspect at security checkpoints at a cost of about $260 million annually. Napolitano was asked whether airlines should help make up for some of the extra costs. Without commenting on the question of airlines paying more, she said an increase in airport security fees
-- passengers pay up to $5 for each one-way ticket -- would bring her department about $600 million a year. A security fee increase has been proposed nearly every year since it was first introduced in 2002 but Congress has never approved it.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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