TRAVELERS should brace for higher airfares for flights booked in the first half of September 2026 as the passenger fuel surcharge was upgraded by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
In an advisory, the CAB announced that the fuel surcharge for September 1 to 15, 2026 was set at Level 13, up from Level 12 for the August 16 to 31, 2026 period.
The CAB is implementing a shorter period of 15 days, down from one month, for fuel surcharge level adjustment as an interim and temporary measure amid high volatility in fuel prices to allow faster response to market changes, cushion its impact, and manage increasing costs.
Under Level 13, passenger fuel surcharge ranges between P423 and P1,237 for domestic flights, while for international flights, the surcharge ranges from P1,396.71 to P10,385.42.
Meanwhile, under Level 12, passengers pay P389 to P1,137 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights, depending on the flight distance, while for international flights originating from the Philippines, the surcharge ranges from P1,284.40 to P9,550.13.
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.
The CAB adjusts fuel surcharges in relation to the price movement of jet fuel.
It is not part of the basic airfare and may be adjusted upward or downward depending on the price of jet fuel 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. (GMA News)
