Airfares higher in second half of September as fuel surcharge raised

Air travellers should brace for higher airfares for flights booked in the second half of September, as the passenger fuel surcharge was upgraded one level higher by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

In an advisory, the CAB said the fuel surcharge from September 16 to 30, 2026 will be hiked to Level 14 from Level 13 in the first half of the month.

Under Level 14, passenger surcharges range from P457 to P1,336 for domestic flights, and from P1,509.08 to P11,220.71 for international flights.

Meanwhile, under Level 13, passengers pay between P423 and P1,237 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights, and between P1,396.71 and P10,385.42 for international flights.

Fuel surcharges are optional fees, separate from the base fare, that airlines may pass on to passengers to recover costs from jet fuel volatility.

The CAB is implementing a shorter 15-day period, down from one month, for fuel surcharge level adjustments as an interim measure amid high volatility in fuel prices to allow faster responses to market changes, cushion the impact, and manage rising costs.

The agency adjusts fuel surcharges based on jet fuel price movements. It is not part of the basic airfare and may be adjusted up or down depending on jet fuel prices in the market.

“Airlines wishing to impose or collect a fuel surcharge for the same period must file their application with this office on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” the CAB said.

West Texas Intermediate, the key US oil benchmark, rose above $100 per barrel on Thursday after Yemen’s Houthis captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha. Brent crude also rose over 6% past $107 a barrel, its highest level since May. — RSJ, GMA News