Spirit Airlines Sued Over Passenger Fee

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – A New Jersey man has slapped South Florida based Spirit Airlines with a lawsuit over a passenger fee he claims is deceptive.

The lawsuit was filed in Miami federal court. The man's attorney claims the $16 passenger usage fee charged by the low cost carrier has no real value and that Spirit has misrepresented it as supposedly required or sanctioned by the government. The lawsuit seeks class-action status to represent thousands of passengers who also paid the fee.

Spirit has said the fee is used to cover ticket distribution costs. A company spokeswoman said Wednesday that the lawsuit is without merit and that Spirit will defend itself in court.

Spirit offers low fares but also charges a variety of extra fees.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)