Unrest in the Middle East and North Africa has seen oil prices rocket in recent weeks, with Thomas Cook the latest to feel the heat.

With Brent Crude oil presently trading at approximately $115 a barrel – up from under $100 at the start of February – the tour operator has added a fuel surcharge of £15 to short-haul flights, £25 to medium haul and £40 to long-haul departures.

All brands – including Thomas Cook, Airtours and Club 18-30 – will be hit by the rise in prices.

British Airways introduced a surcharge in February as political unrest in the oil producing Middle East saw speculators push prices higher.

However, this the first time Thomas Cook has introduced fuel surcharges for two years.

It is likely the charge will be maintained into the 2011-12 winter season.

All products are covered, including package trips and flight-only holidays, and the surcharge applies to holidays booked through the tour operator itself or through travel agencies.

Ian Ailles of Thomas Cook said: “We have worked hard to keep the impact of the rising fuel costs on our holidaymakers to a minimum but the fuel levy is an unavoidable result of the rising price of oil.”