PAL wants hike in fares to Canada, US

Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) has sought government approval for its plans to collect a fuel surcharge rate from passengers of select flights, echoing petitions of other airlines amid rising jet fuel costs.
The flag carrier asked the Civil Aeronautics Board to allow it to hike fuel surcharge by 26% to $170 from $135 for flights from Manila to Canada and to the United States except Honolulu, a notice published showed.
The hearing for the said petition has been slated for April 27.
The airline has yet to decide whether it will increase the fuel surcharge for its other routes, PAL spokesperson Cielo C. Villaluna said in a telephone interview.
“Jet fuel costs account for 40% of total monthly operating expenses. Any further uptake in the price of fuel can increase expenses and wipe up gains,” Villaluna said.
Jet fuel hit $136.4 per barrel back in April 1, a 45.2% increase from the same period last year, according to the International Air Transport Association’s price monitor.