Flight fuel surcharge level downgraded for April

Travelers should expect lower airfares in time for the Holy Week break next month as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) downgraded the fuel surcharge level for April.

In an advisory on Wednesday, the CAB announced that the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights was adjusted to Level 6 for April 1 to 30, 2023.

The fuel surcharge level in April is a notch lower than the current level.

Under Level 6, passengers will be charged P185 to P665 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights and P610.37 to P4,538.40 for international flights, depending on the flight distance.

Under Level 7, the current level, 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.

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.

In a statement, AirAsia Philippines said the development "is expected to cushion the effects of the volatile movement of fuel prices in the world market."

"AirAsia Philippines will continue to work within the guidelines set by CAB on this matter," it said.

"AirAsia Philippines will continue to reassure its guests that it will remain true to its promise of affordable world-class flights this 2023 as we soar towards full recovery," it added.

Philippine Airlines said it would "faithfully comply with the lower fuel surcharge matrix that will be applied for tickets that will be purchased next month."

"We remain grateful [for] our customers' loyalty through the years," PAL added.

Cebu Pacific has yet to issue a statement on the matter. —VBL, GMA Integrated News