Travelers’ Fee Can Help Fight Diseases

September 22, 2009, The New York Times — A United Nations program that has raised $1.2 billion over the past three years for the treatment of H.I.V./AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis through a small fee added to airline tickets sold in 15 countries is going global.

Starting in January, travelers in the United States and other countries buying airline tickets through some of the world’s largest booking companies — including Travelocity, Orbitz and other companies owned or served by Sabre, Travelport and Amadeus — will have the option of adding $2 to their cost to support the fund-raising efforts of Unitaid, which fights life-threatening diseases in poor countries.