AMERICAN AIRLINES, UNITED TO ADD FUEL SURCHARGES

AMERICAN AIRLINES, UNITED TO ADD FUEL SURCHARGES

AMERICAN AIRLINES, UNITED TO ADD FUEL SURCHARGES

      American Airlines will add a fuel surcharge ranging from 4 cents to 10 cents per kilogram on air-freight shipments starting in February.

      American's cargo division said charges will vary according to market. Shipments traveling between North America and Europe and North America and Latin America will incur a 10-cent per kilo charge. Surcharge rates in the intra-U.S., Canada and Caribbean markets will range from 4 cents to 10 cents a kilo.

      United Airlines, based in Chicago, said it also will add fuel surcharges, effective immediately, at 5 cents per pound on domestic shipments and 10 cents per kilo for international shipments.

      American said the cost of crude oil has almost doubled this year, eating into the airline's bottom line. Other leading international cargo carriers, including Northwest Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Alitalia, Air France, Cargolux and Swisscargo, plan to impose fuel surcharges in February.