Cebu Pacific cancels, limits flights due to oil price hike

2026-03-24 - 11:41

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ leading airline Cebu Pacific has cancelled and limited several overseas flights in response to the rising cost of fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East. Cebu Pacific said in a statement on Tuesday, March 24, that global fuel prices “have more than doubled compared with 2025 averages.” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in a press conference on Tuesday, said the Philippines’ jet fuel supply was at an average of 38 days, adding that the country’s inventory levels were not yet alarming. Flight disruptions begin as early as April 13, with some October 24 trips also affected. Here’s a list of flights that will be cancelled: Route Flight Number Effective Period Notes Davao – Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Davao 5J 5964 / 5965 April 13 to October 23 Route suspension Iloilo – Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Iloilo 5J 5970 / 5971 April 17 to October 24 Route suspension Iloilo – Singapore 5J 283 June 15 to October 23 Route suspension Singapore – Iloilo 5J 284 June 16 to October 24 Route suspension Clark – Hanoi – Clark 5J 5872 / 5873 May 2 to October 25 Route suspension Cebu – Singapore 5J 547 April 16 to October 24 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly Singapore – Cebu 5J 548 April 17 to October 25 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly Manila – Jakarta – Manila 5J 759 / 760 April 14 to October 25 From 7x weekly to 4x weekly Manila – Kuala Lumpur 5J 501 April 15 to October 23 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly Kuala Lumpur – Manila 5J 502 April 16 to October 24 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly Manila – Melbourne 5J 049 May 14, 28 From 5x weekly to 4x weekly Melbourne – Manila 5J 050 May 15, 29 From 5x weekly to 4x weekly Manila – Sydney 5J 039 May 4, 8, 13, 17, 22, 27, 31 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly Sydney – Manila 5J 040 May 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 28, June 1 From 7x weekly to 5x weekly The Civil Aeronautics Board, on Tuesday, March 17, approved an increase in the fuel surcharge level from Level 4 to Level 8, describing the move as an “interim and temporary measure.” With the shift to Level 8, fuel surcharges for domestic flights may climb to between P253 and P787. This is a significant jump from the previous P117 to P342 range under Level 4. Meanwhile, international flight surcharges will be set at P835.05 to P6,208.98, depending on distance, marking an approximate 116-percent rise from the earlier P385.70 to P2,867.82 range. Cebu Pacific had a domestic market share of 56% in 2025, up from 54% in 2024, based on a press release on its operational and financial performance disclosed on Monday, March 23. Its international market share expanded from 20.6% in 2024 to 22% in 2025. Prior to these flight reductions, the low-cost carrier was serving 63 destinations, 37 domestic and 26 international with 3,200 total weekly flights. – Rappler.com