P.M. BRIEFING : USAir Hikes Excursion Fares

USAir Group Inc. said today it plans to hike its cheapest domestic air fares, joining the major U.S. carriers in a move that will force leisure travelers to pay more for their wanderlust.

USAir, the nation’s seventh-largest airline, became the last of the major U.S. airlines to unveil hikes of up to $20 on domestic excursion fares effective Dec. 16.

But the Arlington, Va.-based carrier said it would raise prices on its shortest flights by just $6, rather than the $10 hike planned by its competitors.

Excursion fares, highly restricted round-trip tickets that generally require advance purchase and minimum stays, are used mainly by leisure travelers and are the cheapest and most popular tickets sold.

The airlines, faced with rising fuel, maintenance and labor costs, are lifting fares to boost revenues in a period of sluggish air traffic, analysts said.