Malaysia Airlines, which has been hit by record oil prices, said it will raise its fuel surcharge for international travel from July 15.

The national carrier said in a statement that it will raise its fuel surcharge to RM106 from RM76 for travel between Malaysia and Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, the Middle East and Africa.

It added that the fuel surcharge for travel between Malaysia and elsewhere in Asia, including Singapore and Brunei, will be raised to RM53 from RM38.

Net profit lower

Malaysia Airlines last month said net profit fell 29 percent to RM326.1 million in the year to March due to higher fuel costs, which more than offset record international traffic growth.

It first imposed a fuel levy on international and regional flights in June last year. This will be second time MAS has increased its fuel surcharge.

Two months ago , it increased its fuel surcharge on international flights and impose a levy on domestic flights for the first time.

The surcharge for long haul international flights will be raised from RM50 to RM76 while regional flights will see an increase from RM15 to RM38,

The price of benchmark New York crude oil breached 62 dollars a barrel for the first time on Thursday, as tropical storms forced the closure of US oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.