The directive aims to lower airlines’ operating expenses amid global crude oil volatility, ultimately translating to more affordable ticket prices for domestic and international passengers.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez formalised the order through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), emphasising that these fee reductions will apply nationwide to government-managed gateways.
The move directly responds to the sharp rise in jet fuel costs, which has pressured carriers to impose higher fares.
Shorter review, approval for surcharge rates
Complementing this, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has shortened the review and approval period for fuel surcharge rates from the previous one-month timeline to just 15 days.
Shorter fuel-surcharge mechanism
On Tuesday, the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved a radical 15-day fuel surcharge review cycle, slashing the old one-month waiting period to let airlines react faster to wild oil price swings caused by Middle East war.
For tickets booked April 1–15, passengers will pay Level 8 surcharges — double March’s rates and the highest tier applied recently.
Domestic flights face ₱253 on short routes (<200 km) to ₱787 on long hauls (>1,000 km). International tickets start at ₱835 (Hong Kong/Taiwan) and rises to ₱5,913 (US) or ₱6,208 (flights >14,000 km).
CAB said the faster cycle “cushions airlines from fuel volatility while enabling quicker reductions when prices fall.”
Even with those relief steps, analysts warn Holy Week and summer travelers will still feel the pinch as global crude spikes continue.
