U.S. travel agencies in May processed 0.9 percent fewer total air transactions than they did a year earlier,

according to ARC. Total transactions year to date through the first five months of the year were down 0.7 percent, with domestic transactions dropping back 1.5 percent and international transactions inching up 1.2 percent. Total agency air sales in May were down 0.3 percent despite a 12.2 percent jump in refund and exchange charges and a 9.1 percent increase in airline fees. Sales of domestic airfares during the month slipped 3.3 percent while international fare sales grew by 0.5 percent. Total sales year to date were down 0.6 percent.