Study: Airline fees added up to $21B last year

August 3, 2011 at 2:07AM

Study: Airline fees added up to $21B last yearFees to check luggage, change reservations and upgrade to a seat with more legroom, among other charges, have generated $21.46 billion for the world's 47 largest airlines, according to a new study. The report by a Wisconsin-based airline consultant found that the revenue collected in 2010 from such ancillary fees represents a 775 percent increase in revenue since 2007, when only 23 airlines reported collecting $2.45 billion.

California hotel foreclosures nearly doubleHotel foreclosures in California jumped 91 percent in the second quarter as lenders repossessed properties to sell them amid a recovery in property prices, Atlas Hospitality Group said. The number of foreclosed hotels climbed to 191 in the three months ended June 30 from 100 a year earlier, according to the Irvine, Calif.-based brokerage. Seizures also rose from the first quarter, when lenders took over 148 California hotels. The state's biggest hotel foreclosure in the second quarter was the 331-room Hilton Sacramento Arden West, Atlas said.

Verizon ordered to pay up in patent caseVerizon Communications Inc. owes $115 million to a San Jose, Calif., company for infringing four of its patents, a U.S. jury found after a three-week trial in Norfolk, Va. ActiveVideo Networks Inc. sued the New York-based telecommunications company last year, alleging it and three units infringed patents relating to interactive television services including on-demand video. The jury returned its verdict Tuesday. Verizon immediately said it will appeal.

Oil prices tumble on demand concernsOil fell for a fourth day in New York after U.S. personal spending declined, signaling fuel demand may falter in the world's biggest crude-consuming nation. The September future slid as much as 65 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $93.14 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped 1.2 percent to $93.79, the lowest settlement in five weeks. Oil has gained 13 percent the past year.

U. of Phoenix parent to buy Carnegie LearningHoping to keep more of its students from dropping out, the Apollo Group, which operates the for-profit University of Phoenix, said it would pay $75 million to buy Carnegie Learning, which offers computer-based math instruction. Carnegie Learning, based in Pittsburgh, was founded in 1998 by scientists from Carnegie Mellon University who developed an approach to teaching math that combines classroom work with computer instruction. Its Cognitive Tutor software analyzes students' weaknesses as they work through problems and offers new problems until they are ready to move on. .

ESPN to add 200 jobs after getting tax breaksESPN and Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the construction of a digital technology building and the addition of at least 200 jobs over five years in exchange for millions of dollars in state tax breaks. Bristol, Conn.-based ESPN will get a 10-year, $17.5 million state loan to build its digital center and up to $1.2 million for a job-training grant program. The Connecticut Development Authority also may help with as much as $6 million in tax exemptions.

FROM NEWS SERVICES

about the writer

about the writer

More from Business

card image

Kierlin was notoriously frugal and generous with the community, helping found and fund Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

card image
card image