Higher air fares may stay for a while (AP)

By HARRY R. WEBER, AP Business Writer Fri Jul 28, 2:25 PM ET ATLANTA - During five years of heavy losses, major U.S. airlines were reluctant to raise fares, knowing that their discount rivals would undercut them. A few months ago, that timidity melted away and airlines big and small have steadily raised fares that have begun to stick. The result: profits for some of them — despite persistently high fuel prices — that should continue because of strong demand for air travel. "I see no abatement ...