Airfares are expected to decline in June after the government lowered the fuel surcharge level for domestic and international flights, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said on Thursday, May 28.

In an advisory, the CAB announced that fuel surcharges will be set at Level 13 for the period June 1 to 15, down from Level 15 implemented from May 16 to 31, in accordance with CAB Resolution No. 25 (2022), which governs passenger and cargo fuel surcharges.

_{Interim Passenger and Cargo Fuel Surcharge for June 1-15 via Civil Aeronautics Board}

Airlines that intend to impose or collect fuel surcharges during the period must secure approval from the board and ensure that rates do not exceed the prescribed level.

Under Level 13, fuel surcharges for domestic flights will range from 423 pesos to 1,237 pesos per passenger. For international flights, surcharges will range from 1,396.74 pesos to 10,385.42 pesos.

The CAB also set the applicable conversion rate for fuel surcharges collected in foreign currency at 1 U.S. dollar to 61.45 pesos for the same period.

Fuel surcharges are added to ticket prices to help airlines recover costs when jet fuel prices rise.

The recent reduction reflects easing fuel costs after earlier increases this year, when global oil prices surged causing disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East.

Lower fuel surcharges typically translate to cheaper airfares, offering some relief to travelers ahead of the peak travel season.