Virgin Blue Group has announced increases to both its fares and international fuel surcharges, due to rising fuel prices, with effect from March 21.
“Oil prices are reaching increasingly high levels, with the average price of Singapore Jet Fuel rising by around 50 per cent since September 2010, from US$88 a barrel to US$131”, Virgin Blue CEO and MD John Borghetti said.
“The increases announced today go some way to addressing the latest rises in global fuel prices; however they will not recover the full cost. In making these changes, we have been very conscious of balancing our commitment to providing competitive fares with the operational costs of our business.”
For tickets sold from March, V Australia’s fuel surcharges for flights to Los Angeles and other USA destinations will rise to $165 each way (up from $115); with Abu Dhabi/Europe/UK flights rising to $240 each way (up from $220).
International short haul fares on Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue flights will increase by up to $20 per sector, while domestic fares are set to increase by between $6 and $10 per sector.
Borghetti said that the airline would “continue to closely monitor fuel prices and consider increases or decreases to our fuel surcharges and fares in line with changes in market conditions”.
The increases follows the airline’s decision to increase baggage charges on February 17.
