Higher airfares expected in July, August

Travelers flying from destinations in the Philippines can expect to pay higher airfare for the next two months, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) revealed.

In a resolution dated June 15, the CAB said that passenger fuel surcharges for domestic and international flights from July 1 to August 31 this year are under Level 3 classification.

"For April to May 2019, the price of jet fuel averaged $82.96 per barrel, with the USD exchange rate of 52.19 for the same period," said CAB.

"This is equivalent to P27.24 per liter, which corresponds to Level 3 of the Passenger Fuel Surcharge Matrix," it elaborated.

Under Level 3 of the fuel surcharge matrix, airlines are allowed to impose an increase of P74 to P291 for passengers flying domestic routes, depending on destination.

Meanwhile, those flying international routes may be charged P381 to P3,632, also depending on their destination.

For May to June, allowed fuel surcharges were classified under Level 2 — P45 to P171 for domestic flights, and P218 to P2,176 for international flights.

According to the CAB, airlines wishing to impose fuel surcharges for the period must file on or before the beginning of the effectivity period or July 1.

For fuel surcharge to be collected in the equivalent currency, the applicable conversion rate for the period will be $1=P52.19.

The CAB approved the reimposition of the fuel surcharges in September 2018, with reviews conducted every two months. — MDM, GMA News