Airfares are expected to further decline in February as the fuel surcharge is adjusted down to level 6, based on latest data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
Carmelo Arcilla, CAB executive director, said effective February 1 to 28, fuel surcharge for both passenger and cargo services will be at level 6, lower than January’s level 7 fuel surcharge.
Next month’s fuel surcharge is the lowest in the last eight months. It reached as high as level 12 last August due to high jet fuel prices in the world market.
CAB said the new fuel surcharge level is based on the price of jet fuel from Dec. 10, 2022, to January 9 with an average of P38.92 per liter.
Arcilla said airlines that intend to impose the lower fuel surcharge should file an application with the CAB on or before the effectivity date.
Under level 6, guests purchasing tickets next month will only be charged P185 to P665 for domestic and from P610.37 to P949.51 for international flights, depending on the distance traveled.
Philippines Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific Inc. and AirAsia Philippines are optimistic the lower fuel surcharge will help further boost air travel this year.
“This is the second consecutive month since December the fuel surcharge has decreased. It is a very promising trend which signals increased affordability of air travel,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer.
