Philippine Airlines seeking international flight rates hike by $100

Philippines leading carrier Philippine Airlines recently announced it is planning to increase international flights rates by as much as $100 per ticket and will be seeking Civil Aeronautics Board approval soon.

If the proposal gets through, passengers taking Philippine Airlines flights will have to pay more on their air tickets.

The airline says soaring fuel prices in the world market has prompted it to seek a fuel surcharge hike.

Philippine Airlines in a statement said it will seek $300 from the current $200 for flights between Manila and US, except Honolulu; for flights between Manila to Australia it will seek $200 from $150; for flights between Manila and Japan, India and Beijing it will seek $100 from current $75; for Shanghai it is seeking $85 from existing $75; for Korea and Bangkok it is seeking $85 from $75; and for flights between Manila to Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau it is seeking a raise of $55 from current $45.

CAB approval to allow fuel surcharge hike, in addition to regular fares, will be considered as a temporary relief to Philippine Airlines to allow it to mitigate losses from ever-increasing jet fuel costs.