By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter
THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) will implement adjusted airport-related charges, including terminal fees and landing and takeoff fees, for airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) starting April 1, amid rising fuel prices.
“With a view to help passengers and airlines, and to stabilize airfares, we’re going to scale back terminal fees in addition to landing and takeoff fees,” Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
Passenger service charges (PSC), or terminal fees, imposed on departing passengers might be reduced by as much as P200 starting April 1 for 3 months, he said.
CAAP said this may reduce PSC at international airports to P700 from P900 for international flights, while lowering the domestic PSC for flights departing from international airports to the P150-P200 range from the present P350.
CAAP said PSC might be lowered to the P150-P200 range from the present P300 for passengers departing from principal class 1 airports. Those departing from principal class 2 airports will see PSC cut in half to P100 from the present P200, while PSC for those leaving via community airports might be reduced to P50 from P100.
The measure goals to cushion the anticipated rise in airfares in April after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the passenger fuel surcharge to Level 8 for the primary half of April, the best level in two years.
“This might be effective starting April 1, and might be effective for 3 months after our first assessment,” Mr. Lopez said, noting that the reduction could also be prolonged subject to the agency’s assessment.
The PSC reduction will take effect for 3 months starting April 1, no matter whether jet fuel prices go down, he added.
“We recognize the challenges brought by the continuing regional tension and its impact on passengers and the aviation industry. CAAP is implementing reductions in passenger service charges and aeronautical fees to supply immediate relief and support, ensuring that air travel stays accessible during these difficult times,” CAAP Director General Raul L. del Rosario said in a separate media release.
In line with monitoring by the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel prices climbed 12.6% week on week to $197 per barrel as of March 20. On a yearly basis, jet fuel prices surged by 118%, data from the airline trade association showed.
The DoTr also ordered the reduction of navigation charges, reminiscent of landing and takeoff fees, by as much as P5,000 for CAAP-run airports.
Landing and takeoff fees are charges levied for the usage of airport facilities and services during aircraft landings and takeoffs.
“Under the modified rates, the aeronautical fees, including the landing and takeoff, might be decreased to almost 50% overall, or as high as roughly P5,000 per landing,” CAAP said.
Based on a CAAP memorandum issued in April 2025, the present landing and takeoff fees are based on the utmost takeoff weight (MTOW) of the aircraft. For international flights, the minimum fee is $260 for an aircraft weighing as much as 50,000 kilograms, while for domestic flights, the minimum rate is P54 per 500 kilograms for an aircraft weighing as much as 50,000 kilograms.
Earlier this week, local airlines announced reductions in flight frequencies and the temporary suspension of some services.
On Friday, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the temporary suspension of its flights between Manila and choose Middle East destinations, reminiscent of Manila-Dubai-Manila, Manila-Doha, and Doha-Manila, until April 30.
“This precautionary measure is being taken considering the safety situation affecting parts of the Middle East and the resulting operational uncertainties in certain regional airspace corridors and airport operations,” PAL said.
On Monday, Cebu Pacific said it’ll recalibrate its network, including reducing flight frequencies and canceling chosen routes because of the continuing Middle East conflict, noting that these changes are driven by the impact of the crisis on global fuel prices.
The airline suspended five routes — Davao-Bangkok, Iloilo-Bangkok, Iloilo-Singapore, Singapore-Iloilo, and Clark-Hanoi-Clark — until October 2026. It also reduced weekly services for chosen domestic and international routes from April to October.
The airline’s decision to scale back flight frequencies and suspend some flights could also be related to the shortage of fuel supply, said Nigel Paul C. Villarete, a senior adviser on public-private partnerships on the technical advisory group Libra Konsult.
“Nevertheless it’s probably more of the upper costs of maintaining these flights which may very well be served by a reduced frequency. Airlines know their numbers and know if and when the passenger’s existing volume will be carried by less frequencies of flights,” he said.
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a separate briefing on Tuesday that airlines have had “few glitches” in orders because of changes of their supplier countries.
“But up to now, now we have met them and so they have assured us that they’re okay. I feel the problem is on the value, the constraint on the value puts pressure on the operations of the businesses,” she said when asked about the opportunity of an absence of jet fuel supply.