Flight Worries Rise as Marcos Says Jet Fuel Crunch Could Ground Planes

Air travel jitters got real after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said a jet fuel shortage is now a distinct possibility if the Middle East conflict keeps squeezing global supply. In an interview cited by The Manila Times, he said the problem is not just crude availability but also the slower process of refining jet fuel, which could hit airline operations hard.

Marcos said some countries have already limited refueling for foreign aircraft, forcing airlines to carry enough fuel for the return trip. That setup is manageable for some shorter routes, pero mas mabigat ang tama for long-haul flights where fuel planning is more complicated and operating costs can climb fast.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country still has fuel on hand, including around 38.62 days of jet fuel supply based on current estimates. She added that overall inventories remain adequate for now, but the numbers also show why officials are watching the situation closely while global transport routes stay under pressure.

The wider impact is already being felt by passengers. Fuel surcharges for flights booked from April 1 to 15 are set to jump to Level 8, adding hundreds of pesos for domestic trips and potentially more than P6,000 for some international fares. Cebu Pacific has also said it will scale down some flights starting in April as fuel costs keep climbing.

Government agencies are rolling out relief measures in other parts of transport, including discounted train fares, toll cuts for some public utility vehicles, and lower airport charges beginning April 1. But for air travelers, malinaw ang signal: if the fuel crunch worsens, flights could get more expensive and schedules could tighten in the weeks ahead.

Source: The Manila Times — https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/25/news/marcos-jet-fuel-lack-may-ground-planes/2306235