DOTr, CAAP to reduce airport fees due to increasing jet fuel prices
The Department of Transportation has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to reduce airport fees amid the surge in fuel prices.
On Friday, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered lower Passenger Service Charges and airport navigation fees to ease airlines’ operating costs amid higher fuel prices.
According to the DOTr, jet fuel prices have doubled, from $90.87 (~P5,388) per barrel on Feb. 19 to $188.2 (~P11,160) per barrel on March 9.
“[Ito ay] para mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga pasahero ng mga airline kasunod ng pagtaas ng jet fuel sa buong mundo dahil sa digmaan sa Middle East,” he said in a news release. This is set to roll out in CAAP-operated airports nationwide.
Lopez also ordered the Civil Aviation Board to shorten its review and implementation period to 15 days to speed up airfare reductions once jet fuel prices stabilize.
“Patuloy na mino-monitor ng pamahalaan ang sitwasyon at ang pakikipagtulungan sa aviation industry para matiyak na mananatiling ligtas, maaasahan, at abot-kaya ang air travel para sa publiko," he said.
Fuel prices have increased amid the tensions in the Middle East. The Philippines, for one, is looking at another double-digit fuel price hike next week. An industry source told The STAR that diesel prices may rise by as much as P22.30 per liter, while gasoline could increase by up to P17 per liter.
Several Asian carriers are set to increase airfares and fuel surcharges, including AirAsia, Air India, Air New Zealand, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and SpiceJet.
