CAAP Lowers Airport Fees Across the PH Starting April

(SPOT.ph) Booking a flight while the world is struggling with limited fuel can feel like the wrong move these days. One thing is at least moving in the right direction: some airport charges are going down next month.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it will cut passenger service charges (PSC) and aeronautical fees across CAAP-run airports nationwide starting April 1, 2026. PSC is the charge paid by passengers, while aeronautical fees such as landing and takeoff charges are paid by airlines.

Also read: Fuel Surcharge Can Go Up to P787 for Local, P6,208 for International Flights in Early April

Here are the new rates for PSC that are built into your ticket:

 International flights at international airports – from P900 to P700

Domestic flights at international airports - from P350 to P150-P200

The CAAP currently operates five international airports: Davao International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, and Laoag International Airport, and Puerto Princesa International Airport.

Privately operated airports—including Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Clark International Airport, Caticlan Airport, and Laguindingan Airport—are not covered by the new rates, as they fall outside CAAP’s jurisdiction.

Principal Class 1 airports - from P300 to P150-P200

Principal Class 2 airports - from P200 to P100

Community airports - from P100 to P50

Principal Class 1 airports are domestic airports that can handle larger jet aircraft that are used on major inter-island routes. Principal Class 2 airports serve smaller aircraft, including turboprops commonly used for regional flights. Community airports are smaller facilities for limited commercial service. You can check the list of airport classifications on CAAP’s official website.

There are a few people who are exempt from the PSC. Transit/layover passengers, individuals denied entry, and children under two years old at the time of departure will not be charged. The same applies to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), but only for international flights.

CAAP is also lowering aeronautical fees charged to airlines, including landing and takeoff fees. According to its advisory materials, those will be reduced by up to 50% overall—or by as much as P5,000 less per landing. Now aeronautical fees aren’t charged directly to passengers, but they can still influence ticket prices since airlines factor these costs into fares.

Before anyone gets too excited, know that the PSC only covers one part of what you pay.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is also raising the fuel surcharge from Level 4 to Level 8 from April 1 to 15. That means airlines that get CAB approval may charge an extra P253 to P787 for domestic flights and P835 to P6,208 for international flights on top of the base fare. So yes, the airport charge is going down—but another add-on is rising at the same time, which means the total amount you see at checkout can still end up higher overall. Such is life.

Also read: EXPLAINER: Why Do We Have to Pay Travel Tax?