TRAVELERS should expect lower airfares in time for the Holy Week break next month as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) downgraded the fuel surcharge level for April.
The CAB, in an advisory on Wednesday, announced the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights was adjusted to Level 6 for April 1 to 30, 2023.
The fuel surcharge level in April is a notch lower than the current level.
Under Level 6, passengers will be charged P185 to P665 in fuel surcharges for domestic flights and P610.37 to P4,538.40 for international flights, depending on the flight distance.
Under the current Level 7, the fuel surcharge for domestic passenger flights ranges from P219 to P739 depending on the distance, while for international passenger flights originating from the Philippines, the fuel surcharge ranges from P722.71 to P5,373.69.
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.
In a statement, AirAsia Philippines said the development “is expected to cushion the effects of the volatile movement of fuel prices in the world market.”
Philippine Airlines said it would “faithfully comply with the lower fuel surcharge matrix that will be applied for tickets that will be purchased next month.”
Cebu Pacific has yet to issue a statement on the matter. (GMA Integrated News)
Filipinos eager to travel as options go digital
MORE Filipinos are eager to travel as the tourism industry goes digital and destinations ease restrictions.
The Travel Pulse study said 75 percent of Filipinos are also willing to spend for travel “to make the most out of post-pandemic experiences,” according to Michelle Ho, general manager for Klook Philippines and Thailand.
The study analyzes consumer travel trends based on data gathered from booking app Klook.
“Travel has become even more accessible to consumers now that more people are becoming digital-savvy, and we believe this digital transformation is contributing greatly to the acceleration of tourism growth in the region,” Ho said.
The study showed that Klook users in the Philippines are inclined towards travel to neighboring countries like Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong due to proximity and no-visa requirement.
Ho said there is an increased interest to visit Hong Kong after it lifted restrictions.
“I would say that ever since they lifted restrictions back in January, or prior to Chinese New Year all the way to two weeks ago when they lifted the mandate for face masks, we’re seeing the increase in the interest for Hong Kong,” she said.
There’s also continued growth in domestic travel with Boracay, Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu, Clark, and Subic as some of the most popular destinations.
The study added Filipinos prefer longer travel durations, with six to nine days (44 percent) being the most popular.
“The Filipinos’ eagerness to travel motivates us to push for experiences that can be achieved at home or abroad,” Ho said, adding that digital technology is a powerful tool that can benefit the majority if done right. (PNA)/PN
