THE debilitating effect of the continued rise of fuel products in the world market has now affected the airline industry, forcing local and international air carriers to request for an upward revision of their fuel surcharges from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) filed its request on March 25 for an increase by as much as 10 percent in its domestic routes.

CAB hearing officer Elben Sl. Morohas scheduled a meeting with PAL officials on April 18.

The PAL request states that the Luzon-Visayas routes should be increased from P930 to P1,130; Luzon-Mindanao, P1,180 to P1,380; Visayas-Mindanao, P900 to P1,110; within Luzon, P780 to P880; within Visayas  P650 to P750; and within Mindanao, P650 to P1,100.

Cebu Pacific, which submitted its request this April asking for an increase  from 6 percent to 10 percent, is scheduled to meet with CAB hearing officer Wyrlou E. Samodio on May 10 to present its case.

According to a paper submitted  by CEB, the Luzon-Mindanao route would increase from P1,300 to P1,400; Luzon-Visayas, P1,070 to P1,170; within Luzon, P750 to P800; within Mindanao, P1,000 to P1,100; and Visayas-Mindanao, P1,00 to 1,100.

Of the 25 foreign air carriers comprising the Airline Operation Council assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, five air carriers have filed a similar petition for a fuel surcharge.

Singapore Airlines has requested to increase the rate from $26 to $30 from Singapore to any of the Asean countries, while there is also a pending request to increase the rate from $123 to $130 from Singapore to the United States.

Silk Air, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has filed for an increase from $75 to $80 from Singapore to China, Taiwan, India and Nepal, while it has petition to increase the rate from $26 to $30 from Singapore to Manila.

Royal Brunei has a small increment in surcharge of $12 to $25 from Brunei to Manila.

Hong Kong’s carrier Cathay Pacific has filed to increase the surcharge from $65.10 to $66.40 from Hong Kong to Southwest Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asian countries, Bangkok and Dubai.

Qatar is asking for an increase from $70 to $75 out of Manila and Cebu to Qatar.

DAVAO CITY—At past lunchtime, rice retailer Rosario Perez knows that she would be in for another grueling day, a few hours actually, at the parish’s outlet for National Food Authority (NFA)-retailed rice imports in barangay Talomo in the southern part of this city.

AS THE prices of “hot pan de sal” and other bread products are expected to increase in the ensuing days because of the shortage in the supply of wheat, the search for alternative wheat and extenders has also intensified.

THE debilitating effect of the continued rise of fuel products in the world market has now affected the airline industry, forcing local and international air carriers to request for an upward revision of their fuel surcharges from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Monday appealed to the Senate to ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) as without it, the country stands to lose as much as P365 billion in foreign direct investments  (FDIs) from Japan that may be channeled to other Philippine competitors in the region.

THE Philippines risks losing foreign direct investments (FDIs) due to international perception of worsening corruption in the country, Sen. Loren Legarda warned Monday.

A GERMAN trade mission informed President Arroyo on Monday that German businessmen are interested in investing in medical tourism, maritime personnel development and microfinance in the Philippines.

THE validity of the claim of publicly traded Oriental Peninsula Resources Group on two mining sites in Palawan is being questioned by the indigenous peoples residing in these areas, saying they have not given the company permission to conduct mining activities as required by law.

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) is reopening its hub in Cebu to house its nine Bombardier turbo-prop fleet.