Airfares could become cheaper in the second half of May after the Civil Aeronautics Board lowered the fuel surcharge airlines may collect on domestic and international flights.
In an advisory issued Tuesday, May 12, the CAB said the passenger fuel surcharge for May 16 to 31 will be lowered to Level 15 from Level 18, which remains in effect until May 15. Level 15 is a surcharge bracket that sets the maximum fuel-related fee airlines may add on top of base fares, with rates depending on distance.
Under Level 15, domestic fuel surcharges may range from ₱491 to ₱1,436 per passenger for one-way flights. That is lower than the current Level 18 range of ₱593 to ₱1,734. For international flights, the surcharge may range from ₱1,621.42 to ₱12,056, down from the current ₱1,958.44 to ₱14,561.87.
The lower bracket does not automatically reduce base fares. It only limits the additional fuel-related fee airlines may collect if they apply with the CAB. Nearby routes such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Brunei will carry a ₱1,621.42 surcharge, while international surcharges will vary by route and distance under the CAB’s Level 15 matrix.
Long-haul routes will also see lower add-on charges. Flights to Japan, South Korea and Indonesia will carry a ₱2,522.31 surcharge. Australia and the Middle East will carry ₱5,579.13, while North America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will carry ₱11,481.90. Routes beyond 14,000 kilometers will carry a ₱12,056 surcharge.
The CAB said airlines intending to collect the surcharge must file their applications on or before the effectivity period.
“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge for the same period must file their application with this Office on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” the advisory read.
The CAB set the conversion rate for May 16 to 31 at ₱61.18 to the U.S. dollar. The agency uses a 15-day monitoring cycle to respond more quickly to fuel price movements.
