Emirates will increase its airfares from March 1.

An Emirates spokesperson issued a statement to Emirates 24|7, which said: “Due to the current volatility of oil prices, Emirates is introducing a fuel surcharge, for all tickets issued on or after the March 1, 2012, to reflect the substantial recent increases in our fuel costs.

“Emirates has already incurred substantial costs by absorbing the recent price rises, but the surcharge gives us the ability to respond faster to market conditions, rather than a lengthier process of incorporating them into fares.

“The changes will also give us the ability to decrease prices quickly, where appropriate. We will review the level of the surcharge on an on-going basis, while remaining committed to providing our customers with excellent service and a strong value-for-money proposition."

An Emirates spokesperson further clarified: “The fuel surcharge differs by markets and routes. The fuel surcharge in Economy Class is Dh60 on routes from the UAE to the GCC, Middle East and South Asian Subcontinent. The surcharge for First Class and Business Class tickets on these routes is Dh390.

“On routes from the UAE to Africa, Europe, the Far East and Australasia the surcharge is Dh120 in Economy Class and Dh500 in First Class and Business Class, respectively.

“On routes from the UAE to the Americas the surcharge for Economy Class is Dh170 and Dh610 for First Class and Business Class. All surcharges are one-way."

Travel agencies had already started to send out alerts to subscribers informing them of the same.

An alert from Al Futtaim Travel that dropped into the inbox at 8.30am simply read: “Please be informed that Emirates are increasing their fuel surcharge."

The message further clarified: “Tickets issued prior are exempt.”

This news comes weeks after the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, Etihad Airways, announced that it would increase the fuel surcharge on all its flights to Europe.

However, this step was taken by the airline to counter the costs of a scheme that charges airlines for carbon emissions, it said.

The carrier said it would increase prices by $3 per passenger for flights into and out of Europe and 0.03 cents per kg for cargo shipments, to offset the costs of the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme ETS.L.

Etihad said the surcharges would take effect from March 1.

It is unclear as yet if other local carriers, including Air Arabia and flydubai will follow suit.