In a 55-page report, the majority staff of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released on Tuesday its findings after a year-long inquiry into five U.S. airlines’ ancillary fees, which the report said have led to higher costs and worse experiences for consumers and, in some cases, tax avoidance by the airlines.

A handful of U.S. airlines pulled in $12.4 billion from seat fees over the last six years, a Senate subcommittee said today. Why it matters: A Senate investigations panel is taking a hard look at these fees,

Key Takeaways Airlines are facing scrutiny from lawmakers, as a new Senate panel report found that the companies generate billions of dollars in "junk fees" for seats and baggage.The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations said Tuesday that it will hold a hearing next week on the fees,