By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Airlines Writer
Airlines have used surging oil prices to justify fare increases of up to $60 per ticket since the start of the year. But the rising cost of fuel isn’t the only reason it’s getting more difficult to find cheap fares.
The improving economy, a shrinking supply of seats and industry consolidation are also to blame.
“This is probably going to be the worst year we have seen in 10 years in terms of finding bargains,” says Tom Parsons of BestFares.com, a website for travel deals.