MANILA, Philippines — Travelers planning trips for the second quarter of the year should brace for higher costs as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has officially authorized an increase in the Fuel Surcharge Level for April 2026. The adjustment comes as a direct result of the sustained rise in global jet fuel prices, which have been pushed upward by ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply constraints in major oil-producing regions.
Under the new advisory, the fuel surcharge will move from Level 5 to Level 6. This means passengers on domestic and international flights will see an added cost ranging from ₱185 to ₱665 for domestic routes and ₱610 to ₱4,538 for international destinations, depending on the distance traveled.
“The upward adjustment is a necessary response to the volatile price of aviation fuel, which accounts for a significant portion of an airline’s operating expenses,” a CAB representative explained. “We monitor these prices monthly to ensure that the surcharge reflects the actual costs incurred by carriers while protecting consumers from arbitrary price hikes.”
The impact on travelers will vary based on the flight duration:
- Short-Haul Domestic: Flights like Manila to Clark or Busuanga will see the lowest increase.
- Long-Haul Domestic: Routes such as Manila to Davao, Zamboanga, or Batanes will hit the higher end of the domestic surcharge bracket.
- Regional International: Flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei will experience a moderate spike.
- Long-Haul International: Passengers flying to the United States, Europe, or the Middle East will bear the brunt of the Level 6 increase, with surcharges potentially exceeding ₱4,500 per way.
Local carriers, including Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines, are expected to update their booking systems immediately to reflect the April 2026 rates. While the surcharge is a “pass-through” cost intended to help airlines recover fuel expenses, industry analysts worry that the timing—coinciding with the peak summer travel season—could dampen the tourism sector’s momentum.
To mitigate the impact, airlines are encouraging passengers to:
- Book Early: Securing tickets before the April 1st implementation date allows travelers to lock in the current Level 5 surcharge rates.
- Avail of Seat Sales: Carriers are expected to launch aggressive promotional campaigns to offset the higher surcharges and keep load factors high during the vacation months.
- Use Travel Funds/Points: Frequent flyers are being advised to utilize accumulated loyalty points or travel vouchers to cushion the total ticket cost.
As the “summer exodus” approaches, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reminded airlines to remain transparent about their pricing and to ensure that all additional fees are clearly communicated to the flying public. With fuel prices remaining the “X-factor” in global aviation, the CAB will continue to review the surcharge levels on a monthly basis.