SYDNEY - QANTAS Airways Ltd , Australia's largest airline, said on Monday it would raise its fuel surcharges on international routes, the second increase in less than a year.

The airline said the increases of as much as 16.7 per cent, to take effect from Jan 17, were in response to record fuel prices.

The price of crude oil recently touched US$100 (S$143) a barrel, and Qantas said the Singapore jet fuel price was currently trading about US$114 a barrel.

Passengers on international flights from Australia to Britain and Europe will pay a surcharge of A$210 (S$264.73), up from A$185, while flights to Asia would attract a surcharge of A$120 up from A$105.

Surcharges on flights to New Zealand increase to A$70 from A$60.

A Qantas spokesman said it was the first increase in international fuel surcharges since August last year, when Singapore jet fuel was trading about US$90 a barrel.

At this stage there would be no change to its domestic surcharges, Qantas said.

Qantas shares last traded down 3.9 per cent at A$5.23 in a broader market down 2.2 per cent.

Last month, Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd increased its fuel surcharge for domestic flights by 26 per cent, its first increase in three years. Virgin Blue is 62 per cent owned by Toll Holdings Ltd. -- REUTERS