In a move expected to lower airfares next month, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has announced a reduction in the fuel surcharge for the first time since February. According to CAB’s latest advisory, the fuel surcharge for July will be set at Level 5, down from the current Level 6, which has been in effect for the past four months.
Under the new Level 5 surcharge, airlines can collect additional fees ranging from P151 to P542 for domestic flights and from P498.03 to P3,703.11 for international flights. This is a decrease from Level 6 rates, which ranged from P185 to P665 for domestic routes and from P610.37 to P4,538.40 for international flights.
Fuel surcharges are added by airlines to help recover fuel costs and are separate from the base fare, which is the actual ticket price paid by passengers.
Starting next month, passengers traveling from Manila to Caticlan, Legaspi, Kalibo, and Roxas will incur an additional P238 in fuel surcharges. Those heading to Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod, and Puerto Princesa will pay P316 extra. Flights to Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Surigao, and Siargo will have a P418 surcharge, while trips to Zamboanga, Cotabato, and Davao will incur an additional P487.
For international travelers, the surcharge for flights to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam will be P498.03, while those flying to China will pay an extra P676.20 on top of the base fare.