Continental is the latest airline to put up price to compensate for high fuel bills

The comments of their trade body, the Air Transport Association (ATA), came after Continental Airlines became the latest carrier to raise ticket prices.

To try to ease the high price of oil, the ATA called on President George W Bush to stop stockpiling the fuel.

But Mr Bush said he would continue to fill the US's emergency reserve.

"We will not play politics with the strategic reserve," said Mr Bush.

The president ordered back in November 2001 - two months after the 11 September attacks - that the US's strategic reserve, stored in huge underground caverns along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, be filled to its maximum capacity of 700 million barrels.

Job fears

"The idea of emptying the strategic petroleum reserve... would put America in a dangerous position in the war on terror," Mr Bush added.

To help offset the increased cost of aviation fuel, Continental said it would be increasing fares by up to $20 (�11) each way, and warned that it was considering possible job cuts.

"We agree that the strategic reserve is an investment in the nation's future," said ATA president and chief executive James May.

"However, any investor will tell you that you buy low, sell high. Unfortunately the government is doing just the opposite."

Mr May added: "Despite some encouraging estimates that traffic levels are likely to return to pre-9/11 levels this summer, sustained high fuel prices have all but wiped out any chance of a profitable year for the industry as a whole."

Continental's price rises were later mirrored by United and North West.