Cheaper airfares seen in June as fuel surcharge dips to year-low
Travelers looking for a quick getaway during the rainy season can expect cheaper plane tickets next month after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) slashed the fuel surcharge to its lowest level this year.
In an advisory, CAB announced that the fuel surcharge will fall to Level 3 in June from the present Level 4.
Under Level 3, passengers will be paying an additional ₱83 to ₱300 for domestic flights, depending on the flight’s distance.
For international flights, the surcharge ranges from ₱273.36 to ₱2,032.54.
Under the current Level 4, airlines collect an additional fuel fee for domestic flights of ₱117 to ₱342.
Meanwhile, the surcharge for international flights ranges from ₱385.70 to ₱2,867.82.
The fuel surcharge is an optional fee, not included in the base airfare, that airlines may pass on to passengers to offset costs incurred from the volatility of jet fuel.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that the average price of jet fuel stands at $83.76 per barrel.
“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge for the same period must file its application with this office on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” CAB said.
Local airlines are now calling on travelers to take full advantage of the low fuel surcharge through their promotional fares to get the most affordable deal possible.
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific said CAB’s fare adjustment supports the airline’s efforts to offer affordable travel to Filipinos across several domestic and foreign destinations.
“We at Cebu Pacific encourage our passengers to book early, take advantage of our various promos, and enjoy our lowest fares,” said Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer (COO) Xander Lao.
AirAsia, meanwhile, said this is the “perfect chance” for travelers to plan ahead and book future travels at even lower costs.
“We're encouraging everyone to go beyond the usual tourist spots and explore unique destinations across the country, especially provinces with special local experiences and festivals,” said AirAsia Philippines communications and public affairs head, First Officer Steve Dailisan.