1. BA‘s commercial director, Robert Boyle, said yesterday: "The cost of fuel has again risen significantly in recent weeks.

2. But the airline‘s commercial director Robert Boyle said yesterday: "Despite the recent drop in oil price, our fuel costs remain a real burden.

3. BA‘s commercial director Robert Boyle said: "The cost of oil has risen more than $20 a barrel since we last increased our fuel surcharge in June." Some rivals have already announced increases.

4. BA continues to assist the regulators in their investigations." In a letter to BA chairman Martin Broughton, Mr George said that within his department "there may have been inappropriate conversations in violation of company policy in relation to long–haul fuel surcharges". Mr George said he had "not been involved in such conversations". He went on; "Although the board of BA have not found that I have behaved in a dishonest way, I fully recognise my responsibilities as head of department and as a board director." Mr George, who has worked for BA for 1' years, said he was leaving "with deep regret, while believing that departing is, in these circumstances and for these reasons, nevertheless, the right course". BA said its planning director, Robert Boyle, had been appointed to take over as commercial director and that Thomas Coops, former communications director at Abbey National, had been appointed interim head of corporate and media relations.