singapore Airlines (sIA) Thursday said it will raise its fuel surcharge again by as much as five Us dollars to cope with higher oil bills, boosting its highest levy to 50 dollars per passenger.

sIA said the hike was needed as jet fuel prices had risen to 80 dollars a barrel from 70 dollars in July, when the last surcharge adjustment was made.

sIA said the new fuel levy "will offer only partial relief from higher operating costs" arising from increased oil expenses.

It said the charges will be raised by three dollars to 15 dollars per sector for flights between singapore and Bandar seri Begawan, Bangkok, Denpasar, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang and surabaya.

For all other destinations, the levy will be raised by five dollars to 50 dollars per sector, the carrier said.

The new fuel levy will take effect on or after september 14.

sIA is one of the world's most profitable airlines but has not escaped from the impact of higher oil prices.

In the first quarter to June, the airline's net profit fell 7.9 percent year-on-year to 235 million singapore dollars (140 million Us) as fuel expenses increased.