=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/08/09/f= inancial1712EDT0247.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, August 9, 2004 (AP) British airways to increase fuel surcharge paid by long-haul passengers (08-09) 14:12 PDT LONDON (AP) -- British Airways said Monday it will pass on the impact of rising oil prices by more than doubling the fuel surcharge paid by long-haul passengers. Virgin Atlantic Airways followed by announcing its own plan to boost its surcharge. British Airways said that beginning Wednesday the surcharge will increase from $4.57 to $11 for one-way trips, and to $22 for round trips. The short-haul surcharge of $4.57 remains unchanged. "Fuel prices have risen by 45 percent in the last 12 months and our fuel costs are expected to be 225 million pounds ($412 million) higher than last year," said John Rishton, BA's chief financial officer. "We anticipate that the combined fuel surcharges will contribute 70 million pounds ($128 million) toward these costs." Virgin Atlantic Airways later announced an identical hike in its fuel surcharge, on all tickets sold in Britain, also taking effect Wednesday. "As a long-haul carrier our fuel costs represent a higher share of our costs than other airlines so we're hit harder," Virgin said. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP