Emirates seeks higher fuel surcharge

MANILA, Philippines - Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, is seeking the green light from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to impose higher fuel surcharge on passengers on the back of rising price of aviation fuel in the world market.

In a petition, Emirates sought an authority from CAB to impose upward adjustment of fuel surcharge ranging between $15 and $30 on business class and economy class international passengers.

The higher fuel surcharge would be imposed on flights to the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East, West Asia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe, and the US.

Emirates intends to impose a $15 increase on the fuel surcharge to $155 from $140 on economy class passengers and a $30 increase to $300 from $270 on business class passengers going to GCC and Middle East.

The airline would also raise the fuel surcharge by $15 to $170 from $155 on economy class passengers and $30 to $330 from $300 on business class passengers of flights going to West Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, and Europe.

Likewise, Emirates also intends to slap a $20 increase to $175 from $155 on economy class passengers to the Americas and a $40 increase to $340 from $300 on business class flights to Africa.

The CAB allows airlines to impose fuel surcharge on international and domestic passengers as a temporary relief to help them recover losses arising from the increase in jet fuel prices in the world market.

Latest results of the Jet Fuel Price Monitor of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) showed that the price of jet fuel average $135.4 per barrel or higher than the full year target of $130.3 per barrel set by IATA.

Emirates is set to begin daily, non-stop flights from Dubai to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga starting Oct. 1. Clark would be the airline’s second destination in the Philippines.

Emirates Airline president Tim Clark said the additional flights through the international gateway in Pampanga would enhance key tourism and trade links between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.

“There has always been a growing demand for Emirates’ services since we connected Manila with Dubai and our constantly expanding network on six continents. The launch of flights between Clark International Airport and Dubai will offer our passengers the flexibility of choosing from two destinations in the Philippines,” Clark said.