CAB lowers fuel surcharge for June flights

Travelers can look forward to lower airfares next month as the Civil Aeronautics Board lowered the fuel surcharged level for June.

In an advisory, the CAB announced that the passenger and cargo fuel surcharges for domestic and international flights were lowered to Level 4 from Level 5.

Under Level 4, passengers will be charged P117 to 342 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights, depending on flight distance.

For international flights, the surcharge ranges from P385.70 to P2,867.82.

Meanwhile, under the current Level 5, the fuel surcharge for domestic passenger flights ranges from P151 to P542 depending on the distance, while for international passenger flights originating from the Philippines, the fuel surcharge ranges from P498.03 to P3,703.

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.

"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.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said that "the drop in fuel surcharge to Level 4 in June, the lowest in the last 15 months, will help stimulate air travel."

"This is a great development for the travelling public, especially for families and college barkadas who are now starting their school breaks. Cebu Pacific is excited to fly more Juans to their favorite destinations with our low fares and seat sales," Lao said.

AirAsia spokesperson Steve Dailisan, likewise, said the lowering of the fuel surcharge rates for domestic and international flights next month is expected to be advantageous for travelers who may use the additional savings towards other amenities or activities during their trips in the coming months.

"Now that AirAsia Philippines has opened more international destinations, our guests can use the extra savings toward additional baggage allowance for pasalubong and other activities on their travel bucket list," Dailisan said. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News