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Airfare for domestic flights in the Philippines will remain high unless the government upgrades provincial airports for bigger jet aircraft and restructure airport fees and other charges, the country’s airlines said
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The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines also cited that airport fees, taxes and other related operational costs keep airfares relatively high
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ACAP said it is ready to hold multi-sectoral talks to discuss possible solutions and adjustments to make local travel more affordable for more Filipino travelers
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It noted that airfares is one component of travel costs
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The group is composed of flag carrier Philippine Airlines and its low-cost unit PAL Express, Cebu Pacific and its regional arm Cebgo, and AirAsia Philippines
Airfare for domestic flights in the Philippines will remain high unless the government upgrades provincial airports for bigger jet aircraft and restructure airport fees and other charges, the country’s airlines said.
“On some airports with short runways, airlines operate smaller turboprop aircraft with fewer seats resulting in higher costs per seat, making it challenging to sustainably and affordably serve some domestic markets,” the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines said in a statement.
The group – composed of flag carrier Philippine Airlines and its low-cost unit PAL Express, Cebu Pacific and its regional arm Cebgo, and AirAsia Philippines – also cited that airport fees, taxes and other related operational costs keep airfares relatively high.
Expensive domestic flights recently became a hot topic of public discourse over social media after a celebrity – voicing what many have already noticed – pointed out how a ticket to Japan was cheaper than flying to popular island destination Siargao.
The issue was also an offshoot of discussions on why the Philippines lags behind its Asian neighbors in tourism.
Aviation experts have opined that it is also not cost-effective for the government to invest heavily to make all airports capable of handling big jet aircraft.
Meanwhile, ACAP said it is ready to hold multi-sectoral talks, led by Transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez and other government officials, to discuss possible solutions and adjustments to make local travel more affordable for more Filipino travelers.
“Fares are only part of travel costs,” ACAP said.
“We welcome collaboration with the DOTr (Department of Transportation) and other stakeholders on practical, long-term solutions to reduce overall costs and improve infrastructure and connectivity. Together, we can build a more resilient and affordable domestic air transport system,” the airlines said.
ACAP noted that domestic passenger volumes have already surpassed pre-COVID level, which indicates “a healthy market that benefits local tourism.”
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