New Fuel Surcharge on BA Long-Haul Flights

BRITISH Airways hiked its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights for the fifth time in little more than a year yesterday.

The charge on longer journeys will increase from pounds 24 per trip to pounds 30, although BA left the short-haul surcharge of pounds 8 unchanged.

The airline described the rise as “very regrettable” but pointed out its annual fuel bill of pounds 1.6bn was now its largest cost after staff overheads.

The increase, which will result in a pounds 60 charge for a round- trip, is the same as the rise announced by rival Virgin Atlantic two days ago.

BA first introduced a pounds 2.50 per flight surcharge in May 2004, increasing it three months later and then again in October, March and June. Commercial director Martin George said: “Our fuel costs remain a real burden. The price of oil hit a record high of just over $70 a barrel in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“We believe that it is better to be transparent with our customers about the price of fuel by showing the level of fuel surcharge they are paying rather than hide the costs by raising fares behind the scenes like some airlines.”

BA said it now costs almost 400% more than it did in December 2001 to fill up a plane with fuel.

Mr George added: “The latest fuel surcharge rise is very regrettable but we have little choice