Aer Lingus ups fuel charge on US flights

Aer Lingus has increased its fuel surcharge on transatlantic flights for the second time in four weeks.

In a statement today, the airline said the surcharge would rise by up to 15 per cent or by a minimum of €10 for all flights to the US.

The new charges will apply to flights booked from next Wednesday, June 11th.

As a result Aer Lingus passengers flying between Ireland and New York,  Boston, Chicago or Washington will now have to pay €75 each way, compared with €65 previously.

Those flying between Dublin or Shannon and Orlando will see their surcharge rise €10 to €85. The fuel charge on flights to and from west coast cities San Francisco and Los Angeles will also increase by €10 to €100.

It is the third fuel surcharge increase by the airline this year.

Aer Lingus corporate affairs director Enda Corneille said the charge was being increased to meet rising oil prices.

"With jet fuel prices reaching unprecedented levels, increasing by 13 per cent month-on-month May over April, we have been driven to increase our fuel surcharge on long haul flights once again," he said.

No fuel surcharge is applied on any of the 82 short haul routes operated by Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus introduced a surcharge on flights to the US in May 2006.