Airfares Set to Drop in October with Lowest Fuel Surcharge in Over a Year

Good news for travellers: plane tickets are set to get even cheaper in October, just in time for the upcoming holiday season. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) recently announced that the fuel surcharge will drop to its lowest level in over a year, which is expected to boost air travel for both domestic and international flights.

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Enjoy the airfare drops in October

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Starting next month, the fuel surcharge will be downgraded to Level 4, a decrease from the current Level 5 rate. Under this adjustment, passengers flying domestically will pay an additional ₱117 to ₱342 on top of their base fare, depending on the flight distance. For international travellers, the surcharge will range from ₱385.70 to ₱2,867.82. These prices are notably lower than September’s Level 5 rates, which had domestic surcharges ranging from ₱151 to ₱542, and international surcharges from ₱498.03 to ₱3,703.11.

This upcoming reduction in fuel surcharges marks the lowest rate since August 2022, and the first time in 2024 that it has dropped to Level 4. Previously, fuel surcharge rates have fluctuated between Levels 5 and 6 due to rising global fuel costs.

For those unfamiliar, fuel surcharges are additional fees airlines impose to help offset the fluctuating price of fuel, and they’re calculated separately from the base fare—the actual price paid for a seat. While these surcharges are necessary for airlines to recover some of the fuel expenses, they can significantly affect the total cost of a ticket.

With the drop in fuel surcharges, passengers can expect more affordable airfares across various airlines in the Philippines. The reduction is expected to encourage more people to travel, especially during the busy holiday season, when many Filipinos fly domestically to visit family or take international vacations.

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The lower fuel surcharge is a welcome development for both airlines and passengers. As air travel continues to recover from the pandemic, this move could further fuel the industry's growth and give travellers more budget-friendly options.

Whether you’re planning to fly domestically or internationally this October, now may be the perfect time to book your flights and take advantage of the lower airfare costs.

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