All long-haul Aer Lingus flights to and from the United States and the Middle East booked after the middle of next month will be subject to a fuel surcharge.
It is the first time Aer Lingus has imposed a fuel surcharge on any of its routes. The extra charge of €35 ($40) each way will apply to all tickets booked on the routes from May 15th.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion today said: "Since 2005 the cost of fuel per passenger on long haul routes has increased by over 86 per cent while at the same time average fares have fallen.
"In light of the continuing increases in fuel, Aer Lingus can no longer fully absorb these costs."
The surcharge does not apply to any short haul routes throughout Europe. The airline said it would monitor fuel costs and would revisit the surcharges should fuel prices decrease.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary described the Aer Lingus move as a "rip-off" that was "without justification".
Aer Lingus is hedged in 2006 for 51 per cent of its estimated fuel requirements. Its annual results for 2005 showed fuel costs increased by €33.1 million in the year while fares for transatlantic flights decreased by almost 5 per cent over the same period.
British Airways raised its fuel surcharges for the first time in seven months earlier this week after concerns about Iran's nuclear programme sent crude prices to record highs.