Airfare rising despite lower oil prices
NEW YORK – U.S. airlines are saving tens of millions of dollars every week because of lower prices for jet fuel, their largest expense. So why don’t they share some of the savings with passengers?
Simply put: Airlines have no compelling reason to offer any breaks. Planes are full. Investors want a payout. And new planes are on order.
In fact, fares are going higher – and those bag fees that airlines instituted in 2008 when fuel prices spiked aren’t going away either.
In the 12 months ended in September, U.S. airlines saved $1.6 billion on jet fuel. That helped them post a 5.7 percent profit margin in the first three quarters of this year, robust for the industry but lagging behind the 10 percent average for the Standard & Poor’s 500.
Scientists ‘confident’ lander will wake up
BERLIN – A burst of sunshine in the spring could be just the wakeup call for Europe’s comet lander.
Scientists raised hopes Monday that as the Philae lander nears the sun its solar panel-powered battery will recharge, and the first spacecraft to touch down on a comet will send a second round of scientific data back to Earth.
Since landing with a bounce on the comet Wednesday, Philae has already sent back reams of data that scientists are eagerly examining. But there were fears its mission would be cut short because it came to rest in the shadow of a cliff.
Its signal went silent Saturday after its primary battery ran out.
Shortly before that happened, the European Space Agency decided to attempt to tilt the lander’s biggest solar panel toward the sun – a last-ditch maneuver that scientists believe may have paid off.
“We are very confident at some stage it will wake up again and we can achieve contact,” Stephan Ulamec, the lander manager, said.
Tourist sorry for Brooklyn Bridge climb
NEW YORK – A French tourist was just trying to get a better vantage point to take sweeping city photos when he walked out onto the beams over traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, his lawyer said Monday.
The Frenchman was charged Monday with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass. He posted bail and was released and must surrender his passport.
Prosecutors say he climbed over a fence on the bridge’s pedestrian walkway around noon Sunday. He was standing on beams connected to the tower on the Manhattan side.
The daredevil feat comes seven months after two German artists scaled both towers of the Brooklyn Bridge and switched the American flags for white flags.
Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson said such conduct is dangerous and won’t be tolerated, he said he is seeking jail time.
Associated Press
