Aer Lingus to raise US charges for third time

AER LINGUS has announced that it is to increase its long-haul fuel surcharges on routes to the United States for the third time since March.

The airline has again blamed continuing increases in oil prices for the latest surcharge that will be effective on flights booked from next Wednesday.

The new increases between Ireland the US vary between €75 and €100, depending on the flight destination.

Flights to or from New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago will increase from €65 to €75. Flights to or from Orlando will increase from €75 to €85. While flights to or from San Francisco and Los Angeles will increased from €90 to €100.

Aer Lingus corporate affairs director Enda Corneille said the airline had been driven to increase its fuel surcharge once again with aircraft fuel prices reaching unprecedented levels. He said fuel prices had increased by 13% between April and May.

“Today’s fuel surcharge increases reflect the continuing pressure the high price of oil is having on our long-haul operation,” said Mr Corneille.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) condemned the latest price increase and wondered why it was necessary with oil prices falling from their recent record highs in the last number of days.

“How far do oil prices have to fall before the airline will eliminate the latest increase,” asked CAI chief executive Dermott Jewell.

“Other airlines seem to have done very well at hedging their fuel purchases and being able to absorb some of the increased costs. Why was Aer Lingus not able to do the same?”

Mr Jewell also pointed out the last surcharge increase announced by Aer Lingus was on May 7 last. “Either they got it wrong the last time or they are increasing prices at will,” he said.