Cebu Pacific cancels, limits flights due to oil price hike

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