Cebu Pacific assures flights until June as fuel shortage fears persist

On March 29,  Cebu Pacific assured that it has secured enough jet fuel to sustain its operations until June 2026, following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s earlier warning of a possible grounding of planes due to a shortage caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

In a March 24 interview with Bloomberg Television, Marcos said that grounding planes due to a jet fuel shortage is a “distinct possibility.”

“The airline has secured sufficient jet fuel to support all scheduled domestic and international flights until June 2026,” Cebu Pacific said in an official statement.

It added that it is coordinating with suppliers and industry partners to ensure continued fuel availability in the coming months.

“CEB…will continue to take proactive measures to maintain stable and sustainable operations,” the airline noted, underscoring its efforts to uninterrupted service.

Cebu Pacific also emphasized the importance of providing clarity and reassurance to its passengers as developments in the Middle East conflict continue to impact global fuel supply.

“Passengers can continue to travel with confidence, as Cebu Pacific remains committed to providing reliable and affordable air travel,” the statement read.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) earlier raised the fuel surcharge level for domestic and international flights from the current Level 4 to Level 8 in response to rising oil prices.

This fuel surcharge hike will initially be implemented for a shortened adjustment period of 15 days, from April 1 to 15.

At the current Level 4, domestic fuel surcharges range from Php 117 to Php 342, while international flights from the Philippines carry fees between Php 385.70 and Php 2,867.82.

Meanwhile, under Level 8, domestic passengers will pay between Php 253 and Php 787, and international fees will increase to Php 835.06 to Php 6,208.98.

On March 24, Marcos declared a State of National Energy Emergency, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict and its threat to the stability and availability of the country’s energy supply.