P.M. BRIEFING : Delta Ups Fares, Cites Fuel Cost

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines today joined the list of airlines boosting their fares because of recent increases in jet fuel, announcing a 5.3% increase on all international and domestic fares effective Wednesday.

The announcement follows by one day the announcement of a 10% hike by American Airlines. Pan American World Airways and Northwest Airlines have also said they will raise fares to offset higher fuel prices resulting from the Persian Gulf crisis.

Whit Hawkins, Delta’s senior vice president for marketing, said jet fuel costs have risen 10 cents a gallon since July 31. He said the fare hike reflects only the fuel price increase.

Delta says the 10-cent a gallon increase in fuel represents $200 million a year in operating expenses.