Airfares are expected to drop from May 16 to 31, 2026, as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved a lower fuel surcharge following a decline in global jet fuel prices.
In an advisory, CAB said that the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge for both domestic and international flights will drop to Level 16 for the period May 15 to 31 from Level 18 for the period May 1 to 15.
Under Level 15 the fuel surcharge for domestic flights ranges from P491 and P1436, depending on the distance, while for international flights, the fuel surcharge may range from P1621.42 and P12, 056.
The CAB said for the cargo fuel surcharge, airlines are allowed to charge P2.52 to P7.38 per kilogram for domestic flights under Level 15 and P8.34 to P61.98 per kg. for international flights.
The agency is implementing a 15-day price monitoring and implementation cycle for passenger and cargo fuel surcharges on both domestic and international flights. This interim measure replaces the standard one-month cycle and temporarily suspends specific provisions of CAB Resolution No. 25 (2022).
According to the CAB, the move aims to mitigate the impact of surging fuel prices on the riding public and airline operations.
The CAB said the interim measure shall be in effect until the current situation stabilizes or as may be revised or revoked accordingly.
“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge must file its application with CAB on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” the CAB said.
Airline fuel surcharge is an optional fee, imposed and collected by airlines to recover fuel costs and stem losses caused by upward spikes in fuel cost.
According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Jet Fuel Price Monitor, global jet fuel prices averaged $162.89 per barrel as of May 8, 2026. While this represents a 13.5 percent decrease from the previous month.
