DAVAO City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre urged airlines in the Philippines to lower airfare prices, especially in inbound and outbound Davao City flights.
During the City Council session Wednesday, December 12, Alejandre said the airfares to and from the city have been significantly higher compared to other travel destinations, and this will affect tourism in the city and in turn will affect the economy.
Alejandre presented before the council the investigation on high prices of airfares and said that major airlines, such as Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL), have a regulated fare bracket system approved by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
"In the committee hearing, the airline companies were made to explain the reasons why there is a higher airfare with regard to the city's inbound and outbound flights," Alejandre said, adding that in the discussion included the fare bracket system, schedule of booking, travel rates for peak months, among others.
The two major airlines, through their representatives, denied that there was an increase.
“They explained that the plane ticket prices will depend on the date of purchase, such as the nearer the flight, the higher shall be the price,” Alejandre said.
He said due to the sufficiency of explanations of the various sector, the item investigating the major airlines or item was considered closed.
“Despite the recommendation of the item being considered as closed, it is still requested that the major airlines consider the lowering of the fares on the inbound and outbound Davao City flights,” he said.