Airlines Posting Profits, So Why the Fees?
HARRIS: Wow. So listen to this. Airlines expect to post a profit. Really? Could it be Christine Romans, is because they're charging for -- I cough -- and I need a glass of water -- I've got to pay for it. I have to go to the bathroom. I'm sorry. There's a coin operated door to let me -- yes, they're posting a profit, finally. I'm done. That's my little rant.</s>CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: For the first time since -- I knew you were going to say that. For the first time since 2007, the International Air Transport Association says worldwide, airlines, Tony, are finally going to make money after losing billions and billions of money. They've had swine flu to deal with, they've had a volcano, they've had terrorist attacks and terrorist threats. They have a whole long list of all of the things that they've had to go through. But they think that this year because the economy is getting better worldwide, more people are flying, and frankly, more cargo is flying, too. That means that worldwide, except for Europe, you're going to see maybe two and a half billion dollars in profit. That compares with last year when the airline industry worldwide lost $10 billion. OK, so you asked about all of the fees. Well, yes, here in the U.S. airlines are expected to make about $1.9 billion according to the IATA -- that's that international transit group. And, look, there has been a frenzy of fees this year. They have been losing money for so long that they are trying to find every way possible they can to boost their revenue. Among the things, checked bagged fees, $15 to $25. Spirit Airlines became incredibly famous for its $20 to $45 for carry- ons. Meals and snacks. You also have to pay for seat assignments for some airlines. You pay for a window or an aisle in some cases. You pay to board earlier. And, you know, we've already told you this story but it bears repeating, Tony, that this summer -- there are 70-some days of summer, and all but one of those days is considered peak. So you will spend $10 to $30 extra each way for a plane ticket, rather, to fly this summer. All but Fourth of July is peak. So yes, fees aren't going away. Even though they're making money again, fees aren't going away.</s>HARRIS: Can I tell you something? Now I'm going to get slapped for this, I know, by the e-mail nation. But I don't think that's a heck of a lot of money for an entire sector. Am I wrong in that?</s>ROMANS: No.</s>HARRIS: But I am wondering, you know, how much is enough, and at what point? And do the airlines begin to cut back on some of these fees? But I don't think that's a lot of money.</s>ROMANS: Well, I don't think that you're going to see those fees go away anytime soon. I think that there's concern about oil prices further out. There's concern about being able to hold onto those gains if you have -- a double dip recession -- God forbid. So, look, they're in the black. The guy who runs IATA, the global air transport group, he says, there's a lot of reasons to be tentative about airline profits. I think particularly for us, Tony, for you and me, is that indeed, our fees are not going away.</s>HARRIS: Yes, yes.</s>ROMANS: This is baked into the business model now, I'm pretty sure.</s>HARRIS: I think you're right. I think you're right. All right. So e-mail nation, OK, give me a break. I just don't think that's a lot of money for that sector. But I would like to see some of these fees backed off. Come on, I'm choking, I need a glass of water.</s>ROMANS: Me too, me too.</s>HARRIS: I'm kidding. All right, Christine. Thank you. While we are bringing you news from around the world, we are also watching what's hot online. Ines Ferre is surfing the web -- Ines.</s>INES FERRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Tony, this one from CNN.com. The World Cup already heating up.</s>HARRIS: Oh, yes.</s>FERRE: Fans stampede a warm-up match in South Africa. You're watching the CNN NEWSROOM.