Citing fuel costs, Cebu Pacific trims routes as passengers report disruptions

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MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific Air announced the cancelation and reduction of several flights as it implements temporary network adjustments amid rising global fuel prices.

In an advisory dated Monday, March 23, the airline said the changes include route suspensions and reduced flight frequencies across select international routes.

"These changes are driven by the impact of the crisis on global fuel prices, which have more than doubled compared with 2025 averages," Cebu Pacific said.

Among those affected are routes connecting:

• Davao and Bangkok
• Iloilo and Bangkok
• Iloilo and Singapore
• Clark and Hanoi

Other routes, including Manila to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, as well as Cebu to Singapore, will see reduced flight frequencies over the coming months.

Passenger complaint surfaces

Amid the announced adjustments, at least passengers reported disruptions tied to a flight from Bangkok to Manila on March 22, citing delays, aircraft issues and unclear coordination.

In a social media post, the passenger said the flight was delayed for hours before passengers were deplaned and later reboarded, only to experience further delays.

The passenger also claimed that communication from the airline was limited and that rebooking or refund processes were not clearly explained.

Cebu Pacific has not publicly responded to the specific complaint as of posting time.

Cost pressures on airlines

The airline’s move reflects broader pressure on carriers as global oil prices approached $100 per barrel, driving up aviation fuel costs.

Fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for airlines, and sustained increases typically lead to route adjustments, fare hikes or capacity reductions.

Cebu Pacific said the adjustments are temporary, as it responds to evolving global conditions.