British Airways said on Wednesday that it would raise its fuel surcharge on long-haul airfares because of high oil prices. The price of crude oil struck a record high point of $100.10 a barrel in trading on Tuesday.

"British Airways will increase its fuel surcharge on all tickets issued from Monday, February 25, 2008. The decision reflects continuing high oil prices," a company statement said.

The surcharge for single-fare longhaul flights of less than nine hours would increase by £5 per flight to £53, BA said. The cost would rise to £106 for return flights.

The surcharge for single-fare longhaul flights of more than nine hours would increase by £6 to £64 per flight. It would jump to £128 for a return fare.

British Airways said its shorthaul fuel surcharges would remain at £10 and £20.

Last week it was announced that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were to pay a combined $200-million in compensation to millions of passengers for previously colluding over fuel surcharges on tickets.

In August 2007, BA was slapped with a $300-million criminal fine by a US federal court after it admitted fixing fuel surcharges levied on flights between the United States and Britain.

The airline was also hit with record fines totalling $246-million in Britain for its actions.

AFP