BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Pacific said it’s reviewing jet fuel costs and network strategies to cushion the impact of rising global fuel prices despite growth in passenger volume.
“[W]e remain cognizant of the continuing crisis and uncertainty within the Middle East, and the impact of sharply increasing fuel prices on our business,” Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Officer Michael B. Szücs said in a press release last week.
For the primary two months of the yr, Cebu Pacific logged 5.07 million passengers, up 7% from 4.74 million in the identical period in 2025.
Domestic passengers accounted for nearly all of the entire at 3.74 million, while international passengers reached 1.33 million in the course of the period.
“Our operating fundamentals — including our robust domestic network, modern fuel-efficient fleet, and low-cost structure — provide us relative benefits as we navigate these headwinds. We are going to proceed to review pricing and network strategies to make sure we minimize the negative impact of the upper fuel prices,” Mr. Szücs said.
Cebu Pacific said its fuel-efficient fleet gives the airline some advantage in navigating challenges from rising global fuel costs.
The airline operates Airbus NEO aircraft, that are known for enhanced fuel efficiency. These represent the newest generation of Airbus planes designed to be highly compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
In line with monitoring by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), jet fuel prices rose 58.4% week on week to $157.41 per barrel as of March 6. On a yearly basis, jet fuel prices increased by 74.8%, data from the airline trade association showed.
On Friday, the Department of Transportation (DoTr), along with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), ordered the reduction of passenger service charges, or terminal fees, for all government-operated airports within the country.
The Transportation department said the initiative goals to ease a possible increase in airfares as jet fuel prices climb. Based on its recent monitoring, jet fuel prices nearly doubled to $188.20 per barrel as of March 9 from $90.87 per barrel on Feb. 19.
Last yr, CAAP approved the gathering of latest passenger service charges and other fees for all CAAP-operated airports.
Under Memorandum Circular 019-2025, CAAP raised terminal fees to P900 for international flights from P784. For domestic flights, the terminal fee is about at P350 if the passenger departs from a global airport. It is about at P300 for departures from a principal class 1 airport, P200 from a principal class 2 airport, and P100 for departures from community airports.
CAB has also shortened the evaluation period and implementation of the fuel surcharge to fifteen days from one month to make sure that jet fuel prices are reflected more quickly and permit passengers to book tickets at more cost-effective prices.
The passenger fuel surcharge has remained at Level 4 since January. At Level 4, the surcharge ranges from P117 to P342 for domestic flights and from P385.70 to P2,867.82 for international flights originating from the Philippines. — Ashley Erika O. Jose