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NAIA fee hike inked before turnover
By Nidz Godino
“People have yet to experience improvement in NAIA, but they are already asked to pay unconscionable airport fees increase,” consumer group BK3 secretary general Patrick Climaco said government plans to issue new matrix of service fees at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before gateway is turned over to private control on Sept. 14.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan told reporters that NAIA will be handed over to New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), led by San Miguel Corp. (SMC), as scheduled.
Before this, Batan said government would approve revised menu of airport fees to inform stakeholders in advance of price changes in NAIA.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said NAIA charges would start increasing by end of 2024 as part of P170.6 billion concession government awarded to NNIC. In particular, airlines will take first hit in series of rate adjustments at gateway.
Based on initial discussions, landing and take-off fees will be increased this year, while passenger service charges (PSC) will be hiked in 2025. As expected, this proposal is rejected by consumer groups, of which the latest to join the clamor is Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3).
Under proposed adjustment, PSC will be raised to P950 for international passengers, from P550 currently, while it will be bloated to P390 for domestic travelers, from P200 at present.
Bautista said these price hikes would cover investments to be made by NNIC, which, under the leadership of SMC, managed to win contract to rehabilitate NAIA.
Once airport is turned over, NNIC will get minimum of 15 years to upgrade airport and double its passenger capacity to more than 60 million per annum.
However, consumer groups like BL3 want NNIC to prove its worth first as a concessionaire. In statement, Climaco questioned why consumers have to pay for rehabilitation of NAIA when it should be obligation of NNIC.
Generally, Climaco believes increase in airport fees would discourage Filipinos and foreigners from traveling in the Philippines. However, he said travelers might be encouraged to pay more if they see that airport has improved under private management.
“We also understand that there is equivalent fee to rehabilitation of NAIA, but this should be implemented at the right time,” he added.
Increase in fees is among parameters set by the government for the NAIA project.
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