Air travel costs in the Philippines are poised for another significant jump after aviation authorities increased the passenger fuel surcharge to its second-highest tier for the latter half of April.
In a recent advisory, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) announced the implementation of a Level 19 surcharge, marking a dramatic escalation from the Level 8 rate applied earlier in the month. This adjustment pushes the additional fee perilously close to the maximum allowable limit.
"This interim measure shall be in effect until the current situation stabilizes, or as may be revised or revoked accordingly," stated the CAB in its official release.
The financial impact on travelers is substantial. For domestic routes, the surcharge now ranges from ₱627 to ₱1,834, representing an increase of over 147% compared to the rates in effect from April 1 to 15. Passengers on international flights will face even steeper hikes, with surcharges climbing to between ₱2,070.77 and ₱15,397.15—a jump of nearly 148%.
The CAB's resolution framework allows for a maximum Level 20 surcharge. At that peak, domestic fees could reach up to ₱1,993, while international charges might soar as high as ₱16,232.44. These surcharges are applied on top of base airfares and are tied directly to the average price of jet fuel, which must remain above ₱21 per liter for the fees to be in effect.
This latest increase underscores the ongoing volatility in global energy markets and its direct consequence on transportation costs, leaving consumers to bear the brunt of rising operational expenses for airlines.