Qantas could increase fuel surcharge

Australia’s Qantas Airways says it could further increase the fuel surcharge that it has added to ticket prices to compensate for “significant” rises in operating costs because of high oil prices.

“There is no change at this stage. However with fuel prices at record highs, we cannot rule out a further increase,” Qantas’ chief financial officer Peter Gregg told Dow Jones Newswires.

In May, Qantas slapped a €3.80 surcharge on a one-way domestic ticket as well as a one-way ticket to New Zealand.

Yesterday, British Airways – a major Qantas shareholder – said its fuel surcharge would more than double. Aer Lingus and Ryanair have decided not to add any further surcharge.