Fare rise: Qantas raises fuel surcharge

Qantas faces the ire of travellers after increasing its fuel surcharges on international flights by as much as 52 per cent, blaming a rise in fuel prices.

Passengers will be slugged $145 for one-way flights to Europe and Britain, up from $95, while those jetting to North and South America and South Africa will have to fork out $115, up from $85.

Qantas's chief executive, Alan Joyce, said fuel prices had increased to their highest level since reaching all-time highs in 2008.

"Based on industry forecasts, and our own assessment, prices will, at the very least, remain at their current higher levels," he said in a statement today.

The surcharges for one-way flights to destinations in Asia and the Pacific, including Hawaii, will increase from $55 to $75.

Shares in Qantas recorded their biggest one-day jump in three weeks today, rising 7 cents, or 3 per cent, to $2.41, after the airline announced the surcharge increase.

The increase in surcharges applies to tickets issued from February 19.