Air travelers may face higher fares in October as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raises the fuel surcharge to Level 17 amid renewed volatility in global oil prices.
The higher surcharge will apply to flights from October 1 to 15, with airlines allowed to collect between P559 and P1,635 from passengers on domestic flights.
For international flights, the surcharge will range from P1,846.10 to P13,726.58, depending on the destination and applicable fare classification.
The new rate is three levels higher than the Level 14 surcharge imposed from September 16 to 30.
The fuel surcharge is an optional fee that airlines may impose to help offset fluctuations in aviation fuel costs. The CAB adjusts the surcharge based on movements in jet fuel prices in the international market.
The regulatory body has 20 fuel surcharge levels, with Level 20 representing the highest rate.
The latest increase comes as global oil prices climb anew amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Prices have been affected by developments involving the United States and Iran, including US President Donald Trump’s rejection of an Iranian proposal for a seven-day truce aimed at easing tensions.
Iran had earlier presented a plan at the United Nations General Assembly calling for a halt in hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.
The waterway has become a key flashpoint in the conflict, with disruptions raising concerns over oil supplies and transportation costs worldwide.
Continued volatility in global fuel prices could put further pressure on airline operating costs and, in turn, passenger fares in the coming weeks.
