Jet Fuel Woes Prompt Airports to Slash Passenger Fees

Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the Philippines has announced a reduction in fees for passengers and airlines to mitigate rising airfare costs due to soaring jet fuel prices. This decision follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s warning about potential flight groundings caused by the Middle East conflict affecting fuel supplies. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will reduce aeronautical fees and passenger service charges at its airports.

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The terminal fees for international flights will decrease from ₱900 to ₱700, while domestic passengers departing from international airports will see charges lowered from ₱350 to between ₱150 and ₱200. Principal Class 1 airports will reduce fees from ₱300 to ₱150–₱200, and Principal Class 2 airports will drop from ₱200 to ₱100, with community airports lowering fees from ₱100 to ₱50. Aeronautical fees that airlines bear will be slashed by nearly half, amounting to around ₱5,000 per landing.

CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario emphasized that these reductions are intended to provide immediate relief and make air travel more accessible in challenging times. This initiative follows the Civil Aeronautics Board's recent adjustment of the passenger fuel surcharge from Level 4 to Level 8 for early April. The surcharge increase reflects the significant rise in jet fuel prices, which have more than doubled to over $200 per barrel since the conflict began.

DOTr's measures also include reduced terminal fees for RORO ships carrying agricultural goods, with charges dropping to ₱1 for certain vehicle types. Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez highlighted that this will help lower operating costs for those transporting raw agricultural products. The industry and consumers are closely monitoring these developments, as experts weigh the possibility of grounded flights if fuel scarcity worsens.

Looking ahead, stakeholders are preparing for continued volatility in fuel prices and assessing the long-term implications on the aviation sector. The DOTr's decision is a temporary solution, and the situation will evolve as geopolitical dynamics and fuel market conditions change, reported Manila Bulletin.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletin · 24 Mar 2026