DOTr, airlines brace for Holy Week rush amid soaring fuel prices

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is coordinating with airlines to manage the expected surge of travelers during Holy Week amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

In a Palace briefing on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said airlines are “still holding on” despite rising oil prices.

He added that measures are being explored to ensure passengers are not overly burdened by the fuel crisis.

"Isa sa mga tinitignan namin sa CAAP, yung ating Aviation Authority, kung pwede ba namin ibaba yung mga ibang fees [like] landing fees, take-off fees, yung mga sa tingin namin na kaya naman namin i-adjust. I think that will ripple down dun naman sa airfare," Lopez said.

(One of the things we are looking at in the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is whether we can lower certain fees — landing fees, take-off fees — wherever possible. I think that will ripple down to airfare.)

“At least ma-stabilize namin kahit papaano (At least we can stabilize it somewhat),” he added.

Lopez said the DOTr aims to release recomputed airline fees in the coming week, though he could not commit to a specific amount.

According to a report by Reuters, several airlines in Asia and Europe have already begun raising fees due to higher jet fuel costs and disrupted flight routes linked to the Middle East tensions.

Air New Zealand reported that jet fuel prices, previously at $85–$90 per barrel, have surged to around $150–$200 per barrel.—MCG, GMA Integrated News