CAB lowers fuel surcharge level for November

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has lowered the fuel surcharge level for next month amid the drop in the price of jet fuel.
 
CAB officer-in-charge Maria Elben Moro said in an advisory dated October 17 that the fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights was reduced to Level 8 from November 1 to 30.
 
“[From] 10 September to 9 October 2022, the price of jet fuel averaged P42.87 per liter, which corresponds to Level 8 of the Passenger and Cargo Fuel Surcharge Matrix,” Moro said.
 
Under Level 8, the fuel surcharge for domestic passenger flights ranges from P253 to P787 depending on the distance of the flight.
 
For international passenger flights originating from the Philippines, the fuel surcharge ranges from P835.05 to P6,208.98.
 
The fuel surcharge for November is a notch lower than the current level.
 
Under Level 9, the fuel surcharge ranges from P287 to P839 for domestic flights and P947.39 to P7,044.27 for international flights.
 
“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge for the same period must file [an] application with this office on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” Moro said.
 
Local airlines welcomed the lower surcharge level for next month.
 
"This is a welcome development. We look forward to the lower fuel surcharge, which should help make fares more affordable and stimulate air travel as we get nearer the Christmas season. Cebu Pacific will adjust its fuel charges accordingly, which should provide passengers with great value," said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific chief commercial officer.

Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier would comply with the surcharge adjustment.
 
“We shall implement the adjustments to our fuel surcharges in line with the latest CAB directive. The adjusted fuel surcharges apply to tickets that will be purchased in November. This piece of good news comes at a time when we are increasing flight capacity across our domestic and international route network,” she said.

AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan said the downgrading of the surcharge level in November “highly benefits guests traveling this holiday season.”

“For instance, this lowers the fuel surcharge cost to the metro cities of Cebu and Davao to P503 and P708 from October’s P571 and P782, respectively. We’re expecting this new fuel surcharge rate to drive the demand further. At AirAsia, we’re expecting to meet a high average of 90 to 95% in the domestic load factor this fourth quarter,” he said. — VBL, GMA News