A majority of consumers believe that Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, should resign over the chaotic opening of Heathrow's Terminal 5, an exclusive survey for The Times has revealed.

The poll, conducted by Populus, found that 88 per cent thought that the T5 problems called into question the ability of BA’s senior management and 82 per cent thought that it would seriously damage the reputation of British business as a whole.

The survey found that 65 per cent of consumers thought that Mr Walsh should resign over T5 and only 4 per cent felt strongly that he should stay.

The survey also found that 57 per cent would be less likely to fly BA as a result of T5, which will be a concern Mr Walsh as he announced a fare rise yesterday.

The Times-Populus survey found that 85 per cent of the 1,136 people polled thought that T5 was just the latest in a long series of troubles at the airline, which indicate bad management more than bad luck.

A spokesman for BA said: “We have apologised repeatedly for what happened on Terminal 5's opening day. Willie Walsh has said from the outset that he will not resign. He is more determined than ever to make BA’s operations in T5 a success. He is taking responsibility to sort it out, not walk away.”

The poll results came as BA raised the fuel surcharge on its flights for the 12th time in four years.

The surcharge on return long-haul flights goes up to £158 and is now 25 per cent more than a basic return flight to New York.

BA introduced the surcharge to offset increases in the cost of oil but now risks putting off holidaymakers and businessmen who are struggling with numerous other price rises. The carrier said that it was passing on increases in the price of jet fuel through its surcharge.

Long-haul flights longer than nine hours will go up by £30 to £158 return, flights less than nine hours will go up by £20 to £126 return and short-haul flights will rise by £6 to £26 return.

BA’s website shows that a return to New York next week would cost a basic £100 if there were no extras. The new surcharge adds £126 to the fare and taxes a further £90. The total cost is £316.

The airline has said that its fuel bill will go up by at least 20 per cent to £2.5 billion this year and that it has already issued a profit warning to investors. Another profit warning is likely next month as the oil price has continued to rise, reaching nearly $120 a barrel on Monday.

The British flag carrier had hoped that this would be a landmark year as it moved into its new home at the £4.3 billion T5. That dream has faded due to the high fuel costs and the chaotic opening of T5, when BA lost about 20,000 bags and thousands of passengers had their flights cancelled. BA has postponed plans to move its long-haul operations into the new terminal until later this year.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority yesterday deferred making a decision on future passenger charges at Stansted airport.

The CAA has asked the Competition Commission to look at future charges at the airport as part of a wider inquiry into the break up of its owner, BAA.

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