Northwest Raises Fares Up to $40 Round Trip

Northwest Airlines Corp. said it raised business fares by $20 to $40 and leisure fares $10 to $20 for round-trip travel in the U.S., after withdrawing earlier this week from a similar increase. The No. 4 U.S. airline also increased fees for services such as excess luggage, pet transportation and lost-ticket replacement by as much as $25. Some other airlines were studying Northwest’s fare hikes, though none said they had followed them yet. Northwest declined to comment further on the increases. The St. Paul, Minn.-based airline on Friday went along with other carriers in raising fares as much as $40 round trip, then withdrew the increase by Monday. Major airlines generally rescind fare hikes if others do not follow. Shares rose 44 cents to close at $18.94 on Nasdaq.

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