Filipinos booking flights in April can expect cheaper airfares after the government reduced the fuel surcharge just in time for the peak travel season.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has instructed airlines to lower the fuel surcharge to Level 4 next month, down from Level 5 in March. This means airlines can charge P117 to P342 for domestic flights and P385.70 to P2,867.82 for international routes. The previous level allowed higher surcharges, ranging from P151 to P542 for local trips and P498.03 to P3,703.11 for international flights.
The surcharge reduction comes as jet fuel prices dropped to $86.69 per barrel as of March 14, according to the International Air Transport Association. Airlines are required to apply with CAB before April if they wish to implement the adjusted surcharge.
With peak travel season approaching, airlines are expanding their routes to meet rising demand. Cebu Pacific is set to launch flights from Clark to Busuanga and El Nido by March 30, while weekly Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights will begin in April—the first direct Visayas-Vietnam connection. Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will introduce its own Cebu-Ho Chi Minh flights in May and upgrade Clark services to Basco and Siargao to daily operations by May 1.
Last year, Philippine air travel surged by 11 percent, reaching 59.91 million passengers from 53.78 million in 2023. With the new routes and fare adjustments, airlines anticipate continued growth in passenger demand.
