US Airways says traffic inched down in June

US Airways said today that traffic fell slightly in June, although the airline raised capacity 0.4 percent compared with June 2007, but filled fewer seats.

The Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier, Philadelphia's dominant airline, said traffic, or miles flown by paying passengers, slipped 0.5 percent in June compared with a year ago. Consolidated revenue for each passenger mile flown rose 2 percent to 4 percent versus the same period last year, US Airways said in a statement.

Airlines are raising fares and adding fees to offset soaring jet fuel prices. "As we progress through the busy summer travel season, we continue to see strength in our forward bookings," US Airways president Scott Kirby said.

He noted the industry is taking the "appropriate steps with further domestic capacity reductions and implementing a la carte pricing" to help offset "this dramatic and unprecedented rise in fuel expense."

US Airways shares rose 21 cents, or 8.75 percent, to $2.61 in early-afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.