British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic are to reduce fuel surcharges by up to £26 for a return flight.

The news follows criticism of the airlines for not reducing surcharges to reflect the drop in the price of oil, which is now around $80 a barrel from a summer high of $147.

The airlines surcharges were £192 for a long-haul return flight and £136 for a flight of less than nine hours, with higher charges applying for first-class passengers.

A number of other airlines including Air France, KLM, Emirates and Singapore Airlines have already reduced fuel surcharges but BA and Virgin had refused to alter the charge.

BA and Virgin Atlantic's drop in surcharges will take effect from midnight on the 15th of October.