AIRLINES

New Fee System Proposed: A coalition composed of American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Trans World, United and USAir seeks a new arrangement to replace the ticket tax that lapsed during the federal budget battle last year. The plan, explained in letters to Congress, calls for a user fee of $2 per airplane seat ($1 for regional airlines), plus $4.50 per passenger and half a cent per passenger mile flown. A charge of $6.50 plus mileage means the fee would be less than the previous tax for trips costing less than about $65. The failure to renew the old 10% tax has cost the government $1.3 billion so far. A bill to restore the tax is moving through the House, while the Senate is considering a separate measure to replace it with a fee system.