By Airfare Fuel Surcharge to Drop Starting October 16. Will Plane Tickets Be Cheaper?
Passengers booking domestic and international flights from October 16 to 31, 2026, may benefit from lower fuel surcharges following a new adjustment announced by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has announced a reduction in the fuel surcharge that airlines may impose on domestic and international flights, bringing the applicable rate down from Level 17 to Level 16, effective October 16 to 31, 2026.
The adjustment follows the higher surcharge level implemented during the first half of October.
While the reduction could help lower the additional charges paid by air travelers, it does not necessarily mean that airline ticket prices will automatically decrease.
How Much Will Passengers Pay Under Level 16?
Under the revised surcharge level, airlines may collect lower fuel surcharges depending on the distance of the flight.
For domestic flights, the allowable passenger fuel surcharge will range from ₱525 to ₱1,535, compared with ₱559 to ₱1,635 under Level 17.
For international flights, the surcharge will range from ₱1,733.76 to ₱12,891.29, down from ₱1,846.10 to ₱13,726.58.
Here is a comparison of the two surcharge levels:
| Flight Category | Level 17 (Oct. 1–15) | Level 16 (Oct. 16–31) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Flights | ₱559–₱1,635 | ₱525–₱1,535 |
| International Flights | ₱1,846.10–₱13,726.58 | ₱1,733.76–₱12,891.29 |
The reduction translates to a difference of ₱34 to ₱100 for domestic passengers and approximately ₱112 to ₱835 for international passengers, depending on the applicable distance category.
Does This Mean Plane Tickets Will Become Cheaper?
Not necessarily.
A fuel surcharge is an additional amount that airlines may collect on top of the base airfare to help cover fluctuations in aviation fuel costs.
Unlike the base fare, which airlines determine through their pricing systems, fuel surcharges are subject to limits established by the CAB.
This means that although the maximum allowable fuel surcharge will decrease, the final ticket price will still depend on several factors, including the airline’s base fare, seat availability, travel dates, taxes, and other applicable charges.
For example, an airline could reduce its fuel surcharge while simultaneously increasing its base fare because of higher passenger demand.
Passengers comparing flights should therefore consider the total ticket price rather than looking only at the advertised base fare.
Why Does CAB Adjust Fuel Surcharges Every 15 Days?
The CAB has adopted an interim 15-day monitoring and implementation cycle for passenger and cargo fuel surcharges, replacing the previous monthly cycle.
The shorter adjustment period allows fuel surcharge limits to respond more quickly to changes in aviation fuel prices.
When jet fuel prices rise, airlines may be permitted to impose higher surcharges to help offset operating costs. When the applicable fuel price indicators decline, the surcharge level may also be reduced.
The system is intended to help balance the effects of changing fuel prices on airline operations and the traveling public.
Lower Fuel Surcharge Also Applies to Air Cargo
The adjustment will also affect the maximum allowable fuel surcharges for cargo transported by air.
Under Level 16, cargo fuel surcharges for one-way domestic flights will range from ₱2.70 to ₱7.89 per kilogram, while international cargo flights originating from the Philippines will have surcharge limits ranging from ₱8.91 to ₱66.27 per kilogram, depending on distance.
These charges are separate from the basic freight rates imposed by cargo operators.
What Should Passengers Know Before Booking?
According to the CAB advisory, airlines intending to collect fuel surcharges for October 16 to 31 must submit their applications to the agency on or before the start of the applicable period.
Airlines cannot impose fuel surcharges above the approved Level 16 limits.
For charges collected in an equivalent foreign currency, the CAB has established a conversion rate of ₱62.65 per US dollar for the period.
Passengers planning to book flights during the second half of October may compare total ticket prices across booking dates to see whether the lower surcharge translates into savings.
The newly announced rate applies to the October 16–31 surcharge period. Passengers should check the applicable airline charges and booking conditions rather than assume that all flights departing during those dates will automatically become cheaper.
Sources:
- Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) – Passenger and Cargo Fuel Surcharge Advisory, October 16–31, 2026.
- Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) – Fuel Surcharge Advisory, October 1–15, 2026.
- PortCalls – Air Passenger and Cargo Fuel Surcharge Drops One Level for October 16–31.
