P.M. BRIEFING : Northwest to Hike Fares by $15

Northwest Airlines said today it plans to impose a temporary $15 round-trip surcharge on domestic fares starting Friday to help counter rising costs stemming from the Persian Gulf War.

The airline cited higher jet fuel and security costs since Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on Aug. 2. Carriers already have increased fares nationwide three times since then.

Other major airlines did not indicate whether they will follow Northwest’s planned move. But when Northwest last proposed a surcharge, competitors used it as a springboard to raise fares.

The surcharge is not a permanent revision of its pricing structure, the airline said. It will be reviewed periodically to determine if additional adjustments should be made, Northwest said.