Airfares are expected to go down by January following the air regulator’s downgrade of the fuel surcharge as jet fuel prices decline in the world market.
In an advisory, Carmelo Arcilla, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director, said the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights will be at level 7 for January 1 to 31, a notch lower than this month’s level 8 fuel surcharge.
The average price of jet fuel from November 10 to December 9 stood at P41.50 per liter which corresponds to level 7 of the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge matrix of the CAB.
Thus, the passenger fuel surcharge for domestic destinations will range from P219 to P739 per passenger, per way next month, compared to the level 8 surcharge of P253 to P787 per passenger, per way.
For international flights originating from the Philippines, the fuel surcharge will range from P722.71 to P5,373.69 per passenger, per way in January, down from this month’s P835.05 to P6,208.98 per way, per passenger.
For domestic cargo routes, the fuel surcharge at level 7 will range from P1.12 to P3.29 per kilogram, per way, while it will be P3.72 to P27.62 per kg, per way for international cargo services.
Under the CAB guidelines, the applicable fuel surcharge will be collected per passenger and per segment, while the cargo fuel surcharge is applicable only for cargo carried in the cargo hold of an aircraft used for combination services.
The passenger fuel surcharge level in effect on the day of ticketing shall be the same for all passengers, adults, children and infants occupying seats. Infants without seats are exempt from the fuel surcharge.
Arcilla said airlines that intend to impose the new fuel surcharge next year must file an application on or before the effectivity period on January 1.
