Asia's top budget carrier AirAsia said Friday it will impose moderate surcharges after jet fuel prices reached record highs.

"I think it is something we have to consider due to high jet fuel prices. Our Thai affiliate has imposed fuel surcharges," chief executive officer Tony Fernandes told AFP.

Fernandes said the rise would not hurt AirAsia's business as ticket prices would only increase by about RM10 (US$2.6).

"Our fares are the lowest. Five to 10 ringgit will not make any difference," Fernandes said.

No date yet

Asked when AirAsia would introduce the surcharges, Fernandes said: "We are actively looking at it. I can't give a date for now."

AirAsia last February announced that profits rose sharply to RM44.3 million in the three months to December and announced that it would buy an additional 20 new Airbus aircraft - raising a previous order to 100.