Malacañang has confirmed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) held talks with the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) to reduce fares on domestic flights.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing Thursday (Jan. 29) announced by DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez that PAL and CEB have agreed to reduce fares to some destinations such as Siargao.
“Sinabi rin niya (Secretary Lopez) na nakapag-negotiate na siya at nakipag-usap na sa pamunuan ng PAL at Cebu Pacific at nag-agree naman na mababawasan ang presyo lalong-lalo na sa Siargao flights,” she said.
Castro added that the DOTr has revealed several factors affecting domestic airfares, particularly the use of small planes that can carry only 100 passengers.
“May mga nag-o-operate na mga smaller aircraft na nakakapag-accommodate lamang ng 60 to 70 passengers pero pareho ng operational costs as compared sa jet economics na nakakapag-accommodate ng 200 passengers,” she said.
“So, kung tutuusin niyo, mas mahal talaga ‘pag smaller craft ang magagamit. Pero karamihan talaga, smaller craft lang ang puwedeng bumiyahe sa mga magagandang destinasyon dito sa Pilipinas,” she added.
Castro also revealed that the fluctuating price of fuel is what most affects the cost of air fares, but he said the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) continues to remind airline companies to also lower fuel surcharges when fuel prices decrease.
“May mga problem rin patungkol sa fluctuating fuel cost pero kapag nakita naman na bumababa ang presyo, nire-remind ng CAB ang mga airlines na i-reduce rin nila ang fuel surcharge,” she said.
Castro stressed that the adjustment or reduction in the surcharge will greatly help lower airfares.
“‘Yan ang ginagawa ng DOTr para mas gumanda pa ang turismo sa ating bansa pagdating sa isyu ng airfare,” she said.