Fuel accounts for about 25% of Virgin's operating costs

The airline's surcharge will rise from �60 ($104) for a round trip to �70, effective from Friday 24 March.

"Our fuel costs continue to be at all-time highs," said the carrier's chief executive Steve Ridgway.

The last time Virgin raised its fuel levy was in September 2005, when �12 was put on the cost of a round trip.

The latest rise comes despite attempts by the airline to hedge its fuel requirements by buying ahead at a fixed price.

"But, with increasing prices, we have now had to hedge at much higher price levels," said Steve Ridgway.

"The fuel surcharge has only been recovering about half of the true increases we have suffered in recent times."