United Raises Ticket Prices on Fuel Costs

United Airlines raised some round-trip ticket prices by $10 in at least the fifth such attempt by U.S. airlines to cope with higher fuel costs. American Airlines matched the increase.

The fuel surcharge rises to $30 from $20 for some round trips in the U.S. and Canada, the Chicago-based unit of UAL Corp. said. The move affects a majority of fares, a spokeswoman said.

U.S. airlines raised round-trip fares as much as $4 earlier this week in a fuel-related move initiated by Southwest Airlines Inc. UAL and Continental Airlines Inc. have said fuel costs may force them to lay off more workers.

Fuel costs are the industry’s biggest expense after labor. Jet fuel prices have increased 14% this year.

UAL’s shares fell 3 cents to $1 in over-the-counter trading.