PAL eyes imposition of $170 surcharge on Europe flights

Philippine Airlines is seeking regulatory approval for the imposition of fuel surcharges on its flights to Europe ahead of plans to restart its operations in the continent.

In its petition with the Civil Aeronautics Board, PAL said it was seeking to impose a $170 fuel surcharge on its flights to Europe.

Philippine carriers, including Philippine Airlines, have been banned from flying to Europe after the country was placed on a blacklist three years ago. This was lifted on July 12 for PAL after the country was deemed compliant with Europe’s air safety standards.

PAL senior vice president for operations Ismael Augusto Gozon earlier said the airline was planning to fly to key European destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and Madrid.

PAL president Ramon S. Ang said the airline intended to mount its first flight to Europe within the year.

In the meantime, Cebu Pacific, owned by the Gokongwei family’s JG Summit Holdings Inc., was also seeking  an increase in the fuel surcharges on four routes in South Korea.

This will involve an increase from $54 to $58, the filing showed.  The proposed new rates will apply to the following routes: Manila to Incheon, Manila to Busan, Cebu to Incheon and Cebu to Busan.

The CAB is scheduled to hear PAL’s petition on Sept. 24 and that of Cebu Air on Sept. 25.