Airline passengers, take note: high fuel surcharges to stay

MANILA, Philippines – As jet fuel prices — a major cost component of airline operations — remain high, the requests of local and foreign airlines to collect higher fuel surcharges, as well as extend the collection of previously adjusted rates, have been granted by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
 
A fuel surcharge is a temporary relief granted by the CAB to the airlines to help them recover losses incurred from higher jet fuel prices. Fuel accounts for 50% to 60% of an airline’s operating cost per passenger, and is the second-highest expense next to labor.

For most promotional fares, the fuel surcharge is collected on top of the reduced base fare.
 
According to the International Air Transportation Association, jet fuel prices averaged $137.4 a barrel as of August 31, up by 5.3% year-on-year and up 11% month-on-month. IATA expects jet fuel prices to average $128.7 a barrel, translating to an additional $31 billion to the global industry’s fuel bill this year.

Here are the approved adjusted fuel surcharge the airlines will collect:

Philippine Airlines (PAL)

From October 1 up to December 1 this year, PAL’s fuel surcharge for U.S.A and Canada stays at $300; Honolulu, $250; Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Singapore; $80; Indonesia, Beijing and Japan, $100; Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, $55; Shanghai, 85; and Australia $200. Flights bound to Delhi and Xiamen will still carry a $175 and $55, respectively until November 15.
 
For PAL’s domestic flights, the flag carrier will continue to impose a P330 fuel surcharge within Luzon; P350 for flights from Luzon to Visayas; and P450 between Luzon to Mindanao. These will be in effect from October 16 until January 15, 2013.
 
A cargo fuel surcharge will be imposted from October 7 up to January 6 next year as follows: P3 for Manila-Luzon;  P4 for Manila-Visayas, including Puerto Princesa; and P5 for Manila-Mindanao.
 
Airphil Express

Until December 31, PAL’s sister airline Airphil Express will continue to collect P400 in fuel surcharge for flights from Clark/Manila to Mindanao;  P300 for Clark/Manila to Visayas and Visayas to Mindanao; P250 for Clark/Manila to Luzon, within Visayas and within Mindanao.
 
For the international routes, it will continue collecting $35 per passenger up to November 16.
 
Cebu Pacific

The Gokongwei-led budget airline will decrease its fuel surcharge for its Manila-Laoag flights to P250 from P300 from September 14 until December 15.
 
For its international flights, it will maintaing its current fuel surcharges from September 27 to December 26: $50 for Manila-Osaka, and Manila-Busan flights;  $45, Manila-Incheon, Cebu-Incheon; $35, Manila-Beijing, Kalibo-Hong Kong; $30, Manila-Bangkok, Manila-Hanoi; $25, Manila-Guangzhou, Manila-Shanghai, Manila-Jakarta; Cebu-Busan, Iloilo-Hong Kong;  Manila-Kuala Lumpur, Cebu-Singapore, Manila –Saigon, Ilioilo-Singapore;  $20, Manila-Singapore, Clark-Singapore, Clark-Bangkok,  Manila-Taiwan, Manila-Xiamen, Manila-Taipei;  $15, Manila-Macau, Manila-KotaKinabalu, Manila-Bandar Seri Begawan, Manila-Hong Kong; and $10, Clark-Hong Kong, Clark-Macau.

Earlier, the airline was allowed to collect $30 fuel surcharge until December 4 for flights bound to Kuala Lumpur from Cebu and $35 for its Cebu-Bangkok flights.
 
For domestic flights, it will continue imposing P400 until December 22: Manila to Butuan, Cagayan, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Pagadian, Surigao and Zamboanga. For its Manila-Bacolod flights, Cebu Pacific will collect P300.
 
AirAsia Philippines
 
It will impose until December 13 the following fees: P300 per sector for all domestic destinations; P300 per sector for all international flights with less than 2 hours block time; P460 per sector for international flights with less than 3 hours;  P680 per sector for international flights with less than 4 hours; and P900 per sector for international flights with more than 4 hours block time.
 
International airlines

Japan Airlines will keep its $150 fuel surcharge for flights between the Philippines and USA, including Hawaii, Canada, Mexico via Japan.

Effective October 1 up to December 31, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd will impose a downward adjustment from  $88 to $82 for flights between Philippines and Japan and vice versa.
 
For Delta Airlines,  up to November 30, will collect $90 between the Philippines and Japan and $170 between the Philippines and the US
 
Air China, up to November 30, will collect $61.50 for Manila-Beijing; $110 for Manila-Beijing- Los Angeles/ New York/ San Francisco; $90 for Manila-Beijing-Vancouver; $90 for Manila-Beijing-Europe.
 
Qatar Airways, until December 26, will impose fuel surcharges of $120 and $154 for economy class and business class, respectively, for Manila and Cebu flights.
 
Air Niugini will implement until December 20 a fuel surcharge of $115 for flights between Cebu and Port Moresby.
 
Asiana Airlines’ $160 fuel surcharge per passenger for flights to South East Asia will be implemented until November 30.
 
Singapore Airlines and Silk Air continue collecting $36 for economy class passengers taking flights between Singapore and South East Asia, including the Philippines;  $52 for business class; and $61 for first class until December 16.

Hong Kong Dragon Airlines and Cathay Pacific will increase the fee to $135.50 from the previous $124.70 between Hong Kong and South Asian sub-continents, among others, until November 30. – Rappler.com