Higher airfares seen as fuel surcharge level hiked for November

Air travelers should expect higher fare in the coming month after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the fuel surcharge level amid rising jet fuel prices.

In an advisory, the CAB said the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights was set at Level 7 for the November 1 to 30 period, up from the current Level 6.

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 movement of jet fuel.

Under Level 7, the fuel surcharge for domestic passenger flights ranges from P219 to P739 depending on the distance, while for international passenger flights originating from the Philippines, the fuel surcharge ranges from P722.71 to P5,373.69.

Under the current Level 6, passengers will be paying P185 to P665 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights, depending on flight distance.

For international flights, the surcharge ranges from P610.37 to P4,538.40.

"We will faithfully comply with the fuel surcharge matrix issued by the CAB which applies to tickets purchased next month,” Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

“We encourage our customers to book their flights ahead to avail of more affordable fares. Cebu Pacific will stay true to its purpose of making air travel more accessible for every Juan,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer.

“AirAsia Philippines will follow the Civil Aeronautics Board’s advisory on fuel surcharges. However, as a pioneer in low-cost air travel with a well-established domestic and international network, we remain committed to our mission of delivering the best value to our guests and democratizing air travel for all,” said AirAsia Philippines country head for Communications and Public Affairs Steve Dailisan.—LDF, GMA Integrated News