Thomas Cook adds fuel surcharge to all flights from today

One of Britain's biggest tour operators, Thomas Cook, has upped the price of its flights by up to £40 per person. And the increase starts from TODAY.

Why? Because of the rising price of oil. According to the company, the cost of fuel has increased by more than 40 per cent in the past year, and a spokesman claimed that there was 'no alternative' but to impose the supplements.

The company is the first UK operator to react to soaring oil prices.

Thomas Cook carries six million holidaymakers a year. It will apply the surcharges on both flight-only and package holidays regardless of whether they are booked through a travel agency or directly through Thomas Cook itself. The charges also apply to all its charter brands, which include Airtours, Sunset, Manos, Club 18-3 and Neilson.

The maxiumum fuel surcharge is £40 per person, which will be applied for holidays with flights of more than seven hours, like the US or Asia.

Trips between three and seven hours away, such as those to Egypt, will incur an additional fuel charge of £25, adding £100 to a holiday for a family of four. Short haul flights (to Spain or Portugal) will incur an additional fee of £15.

The decision will come as a huge blow for families, who are already struggling to cope with the rising costs of travelling.

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What do you think of the new fuel surcharge? Is it fair that we pay for the higher price of oil?