Nine airlines — four Philippine-flagged and five foreign — have filed separate petitions before the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to increase their fuel surcharge to recover extra cost due to soaring fuel prices.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), Airphil Express and Zest Airways recently joined another local carrier Cebu Pacific and international airlines Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Dragon, SilkAir, Qantas and Jetstar in the petition for adjustments, which will be heard by CAB before end of March.
For Manila to the United States, except Honolulu, PAL is seeking to increase the surcharge to $300 from the current $200; Manila to Australia, $200 from $150; Japan, India and Beijing, $100 from $75; Shanghai, $85 from $75; Korea and Bangkok, $80 from $75; and Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau, $55 from $45.
AirPhil Express is looking at raising the surcharge for flights from Clark and Manila to other points in Luzon to P300 from P250; for Visayas and Mindanao flights to P400 and P500 from P300 and P400, respectively; and for inter-Visayas and inter-Mindanao flights to P300 and P350, respectively.
ZestAir flights between Manila and Legazpi, Marinduque, Masbate, San Jose, Tabias, Virac and Busuanga will carry a fuel surcharge of P350 per passenger; and for flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban and Tagbilaran, surcharges will rise to P400. Remaining at P400 are surcharges for flights to Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
Jet fuel reached $139.50 per barrel on March 9, up 4.3% month-on-month and 5.4% year-on-year.
Photo of Airplane Wing by kangshutters
http://www.freedigitalphotos.
