Longhaul fuel surcharge reduced on many routes

British Airways is to reduce its fuel surcharge on its shorter longhaul routes from January 12, as a result of a fall in the price of oil.

As a result, the fuel surcharge on tickets sold in the UK for longhaul flights scheduled at under nine hours in duration will be reduced from £35 per sector to £30 per sector (£60 return trip).

The fuel surcharge on longer-range services, will remain at £35 per sector (£70 return trip) to reflect the higher fuel consumption on these flights.

The shorthaul fuel surcharge will remain unchanged at £8 per sector (£16 a return trip).

Robert Boyle, British Airways' commercial director, said: "The cost of oil has reduced in recent weeks and therefore we believe that it is right that our customers benefit from lower prices on shorter flights.

"Reducing the fuel surcharge on some of our longhaul flights means that the amount customers pay better reflects the cost of fuel to BA for their specific flight.

"Despite the recent drop in oil price, our fuel costs remain a real burden. It is our second largest cost after employee costs."

The reduced fuel surcharge on certain longhaul flights will apply to tickets issued from Friday January 12, 2007.

British Airways will also reduce its fuel surcharges by equivalent levels in all markets.