[Robert Bing]

Virgin Blue has announced it will reluctantly increase its fuel surcharge from February 2008 as a result of continued increases in fuel prices.

The airline has held off increasing its surcharge for nearly three years, the last increase was in April 2005. Since then the price of jet fuel has risen from USD $66.33 per barrel in April 2005 to USD $112.60 per barrel today.

The surcharge on Virgin Blue domestic flights will increase from $19.00 to $24.00 per person per sector, while the surcharge on international flights operated by Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue will increase from $35 (ex Australia) to $45 per person per sector.

The new surcharge will come into effect after midnight on 1 February 2008 giving travellers time to get in and make bookings at the current surcharge levels.