This will also mean higher fares for passengers.
In its statement on Thursday, April 23, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) announced that it has raised the jet fuel surcharge from Level 8 in early April to Level 19 from April 16 to 30.
According to the agency, this is to ensure the “continued operational viability of Philippine air carriers amidst significant global market pressures,” and added that it is a necessary response to the severe upward trend in global oil markets coupled with foreign exchange fluctuations.
Based on the its latest monitoring cycle from March 10 to April 8, jet fuel prices averaged USD 208 per barrel, which the CAB noted as representative of a steep increase from the pre-crisis average of USD 89 per barrel back in January 2026.
“The impact of these elevated fuel prices has been further compounded by the depreciation of the Philippine Peso, which recently breached the PHP 60 to USD 1 exchange rate,” it noted.
At Level 19, the fuel surcharge for domestic flights ranges from PHP627 to PHP1,834. Meanwhile, iinternational flights range from PHP2,070.77 to PHP15,397.15.
“While this adjustment will result in a corresponding increase in overall airline fares, the CAB emphasizes that the fuel surcharge is a strictly regulated and transparent mechanism,” added the agency.
“It is purposefully designed to protect the riding public by preventing arbitrary and unmoderated fare spikes, ensuring that ticket price adjustments are strictly aligned with actual, verifiable fuel and currency metrics.“
Accordingly, CAB also assured that should jet fuel prices decline, the corresponding fuel surcharge will likewise be reduced following the shortened monitoring period.
CAB also stressed that the implementation of fuel surcharges to mitigate the impact of volatile fuel prices is a “standard, globally adopted regulatory practice” and pointed out that numerous international carriers have begun implementing significant surcharge hikes on regional and long-haul routes before the last adjustment on April 1.
“Jet fuel remains one of the most substantial components of airline operating expenses. Implementing Level 19 is critical to supporting the financial sustainability of our air carriers during this crisis,” they emphasized.
“A stable aviation sector is essential to safeguarding domestic and international connectivity, maintaining route stability, and ensuring uninterrupted service reliability for the traveling public.”
Lastly, CAB noted that it remains firm in its mandate to balance the interests of the aviation industry with the welfare of consumers.
“The CAB will continue to closely monitor global fuel price movements and foreign exchange rates, firmly committed to ensuring that air travel in the Philippines remains safe, reliable and reasonable,” it concluded the statement.