Aer Lingus blames €35 surcharge on oil prices

AER Lingus has blamed high international oil prices for the introduction of a €35 each-way fuel surcharge on long-haul flights to and from the US and Middle East.

The charges will come into effect from May 15.

It is the first time the airline has imposed a fuel surcharge on any of its routes, with management giving an early announcement for passengers intending to travel to the US and Dubai this summer to book flights before the charge comes into effect.

Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said: "Since 2005 the cost of fuel per passenger on long-haul routes has increased by over 86% while at the same time average fares have fallen.

"In light of the continuing increases in fuel, Aer Lingus can no longer fully absorb these costs.

"Although it is regrettable but necessary for us to introduce fuel surcharges on limited routes for the first time, passengers can be assured that Aer Lingus is committed to its low fares strategy and should note that the surcharge does not apply to any of our short-haul routes throughout Europe."

The company said fuel costs rose by €33.1 million last year, with fares for transatlantic flights decreasing almost 5% over the same period. It claims it is hedged in 2006 for 51% of its estimated fuel requirements.

Earlier this week, British Airways said it would also be raising its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights.

Low fares airline Ryanair has slammed the charges, claiming to be the only European airline guaranteeing to never introduce the added charge.

"These fuel surcharges are just the latest €42m rip off from Aer Lingus," said Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.

"They claim that they can't absorb these higher oil prices, yet they are absorbing them in the case of the 5.8m of their passengers who are flying short-haul.

"Aer Lingus's long-haul passengers are already paying their highest air fares, so there is no justification for adding extra fuel surcharges on these long-haul passengers either."