Cebu Pacific seeks higher fuel surcharge

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific wants to increase charges on some domestic routes to counter rising fuel costs.

The Gokongwei-led budget carrier filed a petition before the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) for a P50-P100 hike in fuel surcharge.

It applied for a P50 hike for the following flights:

• Manila to Dipolog, General Santos, Roxas and San Jose
• Cebu to Butuan, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao and Tacloban
• Davao to Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo and General Santos

An P80 increase may be implemented for the Manila-Laoag route, and P100 for Davao-Puerto Princesa.

The CAB allows airlines to hike fuel surcharge imposed on international and domestic passengers to help them recover losses arising from higher jet fuel prices.

Latest data from the International Air Transportation Association showed average jet fuel price in the world market was $139.8 per barrel, 6.9% higher than the level a month ago.

Additional flights

Cebu Pacific will mount more local and international flights in summer, a peak season.

The company’s new aircraft will service these flights; two new A320s will arrive in the first quarter, and 5 more within the year.

Cebu Pacific will fly between Manila and Tagbilaran 12 times a week starting March 11, and between Manila and Tacloban 33 times a week starting March 31.

It will fly 7 times a day between Manila and Bacolod as well as 6 times a day between Manila and Kalibo also starting March 31.

On April 2, Cebu Pacific flights between Manila and Cebu (15 times a day), and Manila and Davao (10 times a day) will begin. More flights will also be mounted from the carrier’s Cebu hub.

In the region, Cebu Pacific will start daily Manila-Singapore flights on March 1, and 12 weekly flights between Manila and Bangkok on April 1. Manila-Bali and Manila-Dubai routes will open March 16 and October 17, respectively.

Cebu Pacific currently flies to 21 international and 32 domestic destinations. – Rappler.com