Aer Lingus increases long haul fuel surcharge

Aer Lingus is to increase its long haul fuel surcharge on four of its long haul routes to the US, effective from Wednesday, 30th July 2008. This increase applies to the longer sector transatlantic routes operated by Aer Lingus and is as a result of the 50% increase in jet fuel spot prices since the beginning of the year. Surcharges on New York, Boston and Washington Dulles, the shorter sector services to the US, remain unchanged.

The fuel surcharge will increase on the following long haul flights:

* Flights to Chicago will increase from €75/£58 to €85/£68 per sector
* Flights to Orlando will increase from €85/$125/£68 to €95/$140/£75 per sector
* Flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles (to be suspended November 2nd 2008) will rise from €100/$135/£78 to €110/$150/£85 per sector.

Commenting on the increases Aer Lingus Corporate Affairs Director, Enda Corneille said: "The overall effect of the price of fuel continues to be extremely challenging for the airline industry, despite some price fluctuations over the last number of days. Jet fuel spot prices have increased over 50% since the beginning of the year, and this continues to have a significant impact on our long haul operations. We will continue to keep the situation under review."

Aer Lingus does not impose a fuel surcharge on short haul flights.