AIRLINE INDUSTRY NOTCHES SECOND-BEST YEAR EVER

Last year saw 23 airlines rake in $15.5 billion in profits, $1.5 billion more than

2016 and the second-highest tally ever after a record $24.8 billion in

2015, the Department of Transportation said Monday. Checked-bag and flight-change fees contributed nearly

4.6%, while 7.7% of revenue came from food and drink sales and pet transportation. The profits came on a record passenger count of 965 million.