Continental Airlines' move to raise fares worldwide on May 19 was quickly matched by other U.S. carriers equally desperate to ease the effects of skyrocketing fuel prices on their shaky balance sheets. "If we are not successful in passing along these exorbitant fuel costs through higher fares, we will ultimately be forced to seek significant wage and benefit concessions and furloughs," says Gordon Bethune, chairman/CEO of the Houston-based carrier. Management at Continental has tried to avoid seeking concessions from its employees as a means to cope with higher operating costs.
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