HIGHER AIRFARE EXPECTED AS FUEL SURCHARGES GO UP IN MARCH

The Civil Aeronautics Board will be increasing the fuel surcharge from Level 4 to 5 in March, airfares are likely to increase after (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News)

The traveling public should expect higher airfares in the coming month as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) announced that the fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights will go up in March.

In an advisory, CAB cited Policy Resolution 25 which places the rates under Level 5. This means that passengers in domestic flights will be paying an extra P151 to P542 depending on the distance of their flight from the previous P117 to P342 under Level 4.

Passengers of international flights will be paying from P498.03 to P3,703.11 from the previous P385.70 to P2,867.82. Fuel surcharge is an optional fee, apart from the base fare, that airlines may pass on to passengers to recover costs incurred due to the volatility of jet fuel.

The CAB adjusts fuel surcharges in relation to the price movement of jet fuel. An official from the Philippines Department of Energy earlier noted that oil prices are rising mainly because of market fears that world oil supply will eventually be affected by US sanctions against oil from Russia and Iran.

“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge for the same period must file its application with this office on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” the CAB said.

Cebu Pacific said that despite the increases, it remained committed to offering the best value fares so their passengers could still travel within their budget. 

"With summer travel approaching, we at Cebu Pacific encourage our passengers to book early and take advantage of our lowest fares. We look forward to flying everyone to their much-awaited getaways this season," Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said.

AirAsia Philippines also said it was also looking for ways to lessen the impact of the fuel surcharge increase to its passengers. "We understand that this change may minimally impact guests' travel plans, that's why our Piso Fare promotion is perfectly timed for those looking to save on cost.”

“Despite these adjustments, we remain fully committed to fulfilling our brand promise of making air travel safe, accessible and hassle-free for purposeful journeys with family, friends and loved ones," AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Head First Officer Steve Dailisan said.

Source: Manila Standard 

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