By Lane Afable
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has ordered a reduction in passenger service charges and airport navigation fees at all Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines(CAAP)-operated airports nationwide, as jet fuel prices continue to surge amid the widening Middle East conflict.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued the directive to CAAP over the weekend, citing the need to cushion the impact of soaring fuel costs on airline operations and traveling Filipinos.
DOTr data showed jet fuel prices climbed sharply from USD90.87 per barrel on Feb. 19 to USD188.2 per barrel by March 9, or more than double within three weeks.
Lopez also directed the Civil Aviation Board to compress its evaluation and implementation period to 15 days so that airfare reductions can take effect more quickly once jet fuel prices begin to stabilize.
The government is closely monitoring the situation and working with the aviation industry to keep air travel safe, reliable, and affordable for the public, Lopez said.
Several Asian carriers, including AirAsia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Air India, have already announced plans to raise fares or adjust fuel surcharges in response to escalating fuel costs.
The fee reductions reflect the Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to protecting consumers from the ripple effects of global supply disruptions, consistent with its broader economic agenda of keeping essential services accessible and affordable even amid external pressures on the domestic economy.
