Eastern Visayas Officials Call for Fair, Transparent Airfare Pricing Amid Rising Costs

Posted on May 5, 2026 at 6:39 am

TACLOBAN CITY — Mayors in Northern Samar expressed deep concern about the excessively high airfare between Catarman and Manila during a League of Municipalities of the Philippines meeting on April 28. They emphasized the negative impact of the steep ticket prices on residents, tourism, and economic activities in the province.

Catarman Mayor Dianne Rosales raised the issue, noting that Philippine Airlines charges between P15,000 to P20,000 per seat for the Catarman to Manila route. She highlighted the heavy financial burden this places on residents who rely on this air connection to the capital.

PAL Tacloban Area Manager Joery Fallori explained that airport limitations require the use of turboprop aircraft like the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, which have higher operational costs leading to the increased ticket prices. He also mentioned that fares tend to rise closer to departure dates based on seat availability.

However, some local government officials questioned the lack of pricing experts who could provide a detailed breakdown of fare calculations.

Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano pointed out that the high airfare disproportionately affects students and senior citizens who cannot endure long land travel as an alternative means to reach Manila.

LMP Northern Samar President Mary Ann Avalon called for “fair fares” and increased transparency from the airline, stating that PAL is expected to present a comprehensive pricing breakdown in the upcoming May meeting.

San Antonio Mayor Gary Lavin suggested adjusting flight schedules to better accommodate passengers from remote municipalities.

Currently, PAL is the only carrier operating the route in Northern Samar, offering one daily flight four times a week.

In Tacloban City, residents and travelers have also been grappling with high and fluctuating airfares on routes to Manila and nearby destinations. Reports indicate that one-way tickets can range from around P10,000 up to P20,000 depending on season and demand, with prices often increasing during peak travel periods and limited seat availability. This situation has also impacted mobility, tourism, and business travel in Eastern Visayas, where Tacloban serves as the primary aviation hub for Northern Samar passengers as well.

Photo by: Jazmin Bonifacio