Airfares to stay high in May vs. dip in fuel surcharge

Air fares will remain high in the first half of May after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) set fuel surcharge at Level 18, slightly lower than the near-maximum rates imposed in late April.

Under Level 18, airlines are allowed to impose fuel surcharge in their tickets from P593 to P1,734 for domestic flights, and from P1,958.44 to P14,561.87 for international travel.

The below-Level 19 surcharge applied for the period April 16-30, 2026 remain significantly high compared with the period before the Iran war.

Fuel surcharges under Level 19 ranges from P627 to P1,834 for domestic flights, and from P2,070.77 to P15,397.15 for international travel.

The revised fuel surcharge matrix, which takes effect May 1-15, reflects a modest easing in global jet fuel prices. This followed a sharp spike last April amid the Middle East war.

Last April 17, jet fuel prices averaged $184.63 per barrel, down from $209 per barrel in the week ending April 3, according to data from the International Air Transport Association.

Despite the decline, oil prices remain higher than pre-war levels – averaging below $100 per barrel.