07:29 AM EST, 12/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- A US Senator chairing a panel investigating airline fees criticized US carriers Wednesday for what he described as their focus on finding new ways to impose charges on passengers, news outlets reported.

Senator Richard Blumenthal said airlines "view their customers as little more than walking piggy banks to be shaken down for every possible dime," according to Reuters, citing prepared remarks.

Blumenthal is convening a hearing Wednesday in which executives of American Airlines ( AAL ) , United Airlines (UAL), Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) , Frontier (ULCC), and Spirit Airlines are scheduled to appear.

Blumenthal's panel has spent a year investigating airline fees, Reuters reported.

American, United, Delta, and Frontier did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' requests for comment.