New York-based Jet Blue has announced that it will be increasing air fares to the Caribbean by adding on a surcharge to combat the rising price of jet-fuel. The airline forecasts that it will pay 17 per cent more for its fuel in the first quarter of this year than it did in the last three months of 2010.

Those choosing to fly with Jet Blue to destinations in the Caribbean will now have to pay a surcharge of $45. An added charge of $35 will be applicable to those flying to Puerto Rico. The carrier said it was hoping to earn 20 per cent more through fees this year.

In 2010, Jet Blue pulled in $85 million from those who were prepared to pay the extra for a larger seat with more leg-room. On average, each of the airline’s passengers was parting with $20 for extra services.

Jet Blue’s profits were hit in December by the spiralling price of fuel and the snow storms which ravaged the East Coast. The closure of airports in New York and travel disruption in Boston cost the carrier an estimated $30 million. Earlier in the week, Jet Blue was forced to cancel 375 scheduled services as bad weather hit the North East.

Throughout this year, Jet Blue aims to increase capacity by up to nine per cent. It will do this by adding services to the Caribbean and expanding services out of Boston. For 2010, the carrier announced profits of $97 million. In 2009, its published profit was $61 million.