Passengers hit again as Aer Lingus raises fuel surcharge

AER LINGUS yesterday announced fuel surcharges would increase to as much as €90 on key transatlantic routes — the second rise by the airline in two months.

For all bookings from May 14, the airline is increasing its fuel surcharge to cover the rising cost of aviation fuel.

The last increase was in March when Aer Lingus upped fuel surcharges between €5 and €10 for flights to New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Yesterday, the airline announced the surcharge to US West Coast destinations would rise from €75 to €90 while the fee for East Coast airports would rise from €50 to €65. The fuel fee for Orlando, Florida, rises from €60 to €75. All increases are one-way and apply for journeys to and from Ireland.

Aer Lingus corporate affairs director Enda Corneille said the reason for the second rise was the record high price of oil, which is now about $123 a barrel.

“These increases in our surcharges reflect the continuing effect the high price of oil is having on our long-haul operation.”

The rise will be the sixth since a fuel surcharge of €35 was introduced on long-haul Aer Lingus routes in May 2006.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland condemned the latest price hike.

“The charges are rising by up to 30% but this seems totally disproportionate and is the sixth rise in the last number of years,” said association chairman James Doorley.

“There’s no transparency with these rises so it’s hard to understand if it’s a good opportunity to increase their profits or if it’s to cover their costs.”

The announcement came a day after Aer Lingus unveiled a hike of up to 50% — to €12 and €18 — in baggage fees on the airline’s 82 short-haul routes from today.