Cebu Pacific, the country’s largest carrier by passenger volume, is suspending and reducing the frequency of major international routes through October in response to rising fuel prices driven by the latest ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In an advisory on Monday, March 23, the low-cost carrier said it will implement temporary network adjustments to “ensure stable and sustainable operations” after jet fuel prices surged in recent weeks.

“These changes are driven by the impact of the crisis on global fuel prices, which have more than doubled compared with 2025 averages,” it said.

Since Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway for global oil supply—in retaliation for attacks by the United States (US) and Israel in late February, fuel prices have risen to unprecedented levels.

Based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the average global price of jet fuel stood at $197 per barrel as of March 20, an increase of 118.8 percent from last year’s level. In Asia and Oceania, jet fuel now averages around $204.95 per barrel.

To maintain affordable airfares for its large passenger base, Cebu Pacific is temporarily suspending several international routes to reduce costs and sustain other operations.

Starting next month, the carrier will suspend flights from Davao to Bangkok until Oct. 23 and from Iloilo to Bangkok until Oct. 24.

In May, it will begin suspending flights between Clark and Hanoi, while operations between Iloilo and Singapore will be halted the following month. Both routes are expected to resume in October.

Cebu Pacific is also scaling back frequencies on other international routes as part of a broader effort to reduce costs.

Beginning in April, the airline will reduce flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and from Cebu to Singapore from seven times a week to five times weekly.

Jakarta will get the shorter end of the stick, as Cebu Pacific will trim its flights from Manila to the Indonesian capital from seven times a week to just four through October.

The flight schedule between Manila and two major Australian cities, Sydney and Melbourne, will be cut to five and four weekly flights, respectively, on select dates in May and June.

“These network adjustments have been carefully implemented to address the current impact, with the rest of our network expected to operate as scheduled,” Cebu Pacific said.

Passengers affected by these changes may avail themselves of free rebooking, convert their tickets into travel funds, or request a refund.

Based on a Reuters report citing Cebu Pacific, airfares for March through May are now averaging 20 to 26 percent higher than prices earlier this month.

Like other airlines, Cebu Pacific has been authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to collect higher passenger fuel surcharges for the first half of April to recover some losses from rising fuel costs.

CAB earlier raised the surcharge to Level 8, under which passengers may pay an additional ₱253 to ₱787 for domestic flights and ₱835.05 to ₱6,208.98 for international flights, depending on distance.

The agency may raise the surcharge further for the second half of next month as jet fuel prices continue to climb.