Airline tickets will cost more in the first half of October after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised fuel surcharges in response to steeply rising jet fuel prices. In an official advisory, the CAB announced both domestic and international passenger and cargo fuel surcharges will move to Level 17 from October 1 through 15, up from Level 14 applied during the latter half of September.
Under the new rates, domestic passenger fuel surcharges will run from P559 to P1,635 depending on travel distance, while international passenger surcharges will range from P1,846.10 to P13,726.58. For cargo, the adjusted fuel surcharge will be P2.87 to P8.40 per kilogram on domestic routes and P9.49 to P70.57 per kilogram on international flights.
The CAB has also shifted to a shorter 15‑day monitoring and implementation cycle instead of the usual one‑month period, a temporary change that suspends certain provisions of CAB Resolution No. 25 (2022). This interim setup will stay in place until fuel market conditions stabilize or until updated or revoked. Airlines must submit applications to collect these surcharges before the period begins and may not exceed the approved rates.
Fuel surcharges are optional fees carriers use to recover higher fuel expenses and ease financial strain from sudden price spikes. The adjustment follows sharp global increases: the International Air Transport Association reported average jet fuel prices reached $194.90 per barrel as of September 18, a 24.2 percent climb from the prior month and 116.5 percent higher than a year ago. The CAB said the updated rates are designed to balance protection for passengers and the operational viability of airlines amid these volatile costs. Travelers should expect the added fee to be reflected in ticket prices immediately, with further adjustments possible as the 15‑day review cycle proceeds.
