Rising Oil Prices Threaten Airline Business

Although U.S. airlines´ profit rose 2 percent last year, the carriers are now facing a big problem. The rising fuel prices forces them to increase airfares again and again.

Carriers have already lifted airfares 4 times in 2011, which makes additional expenses of around $40 per traveler compared to the end of 2010.

"Fuel prices are now the highest cost for the airlines," finance professor and pilot Frank Werner said.