Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific will reduce the rate of its Manila-Osaka flights by 46 percent after it secured the approval of the Japan Civil Aviation Board to remove surcharges, the Philippine-based airline said Thursday.

Cebu Pacific said it is charging a one-way fare of P3,999, which excludes government taxes (about P35), travel taxes (P1,620) and terminal fees(P750) for the said route.

This is a promotional fare available only for those buying their tickets from March 5 to March 10, 2009 and who will travel from May 31 to October 29 this year.

Travelers who will purchase their ticket from March 11 onwards will be paying P4,999, or 40 percent lower than current fares offered by other airlines, Cebu Pacific said.

"We asked for the removal of the surcharges to make travel more affordable especially in these challenging times. Without the surcharges, passengers can now see the real out of pocket cost of their travel with Cebu Pacific," Cebu Pacific Vice President for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said in a statement.

The Gokongwei-led carrier is said to be the only airline granted such a leeway.

Meanwhile, a "Go Lite" fare is also being offered by Cebu Pacific for its flights from Manila to Davao, Dipolog, and Zamboanga from March 5 to 7, 2009. The said promotion is valid for travel from April 1 to July 31 this year.

Cebu Pacific announced last month that it would remove fuel and insurance surcharges on all Asian flights due to falling oil prices.

In January, the company dropped the fuel and insurance surcharges on all its domestic flights to encourage higher passenger volume amid the economic downturn.