It looks like next year we could all be digging a little bit deeper to finance those short haul flights – as a new report reveals that short haul economy flights are set to soar between two and four per cent in the new year. The report, from American Express Business Travel predicts a global price hike in 2009 with international business class fares increasing by between four and six per cent.  “Airfare rises in 2009 will have to soften as airlines fight for the corporate customer while enforcing necessary cost containment strategies such as capacity reductions,” commented American Express vice president advisory services, Kurt Knackstedt. Another strategy that many airlines may start to enforce is charging fees for services such as checked luggage, in-flight refreshments and aisle seating.