NAIA terminal fee to be hiked in April 2019

Travelers flying through and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) should brace for higher terminal fees for international and domestic flights starting April next year.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said the proposed increase will generate additional funds for the country's main gateway to sustain the improvements and maintenance of airport facilities.

"Sa international flights from P550 may karagdagang P200, at P100 naman sa domestic so magiging P300 [from P200]," Monreal told reporters on the sidelines of a news forum in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Monreal said the MIAA is planning to implement the increase in terminal fees in the first quarter of 2019 or by April 1 next year.

"Kasi wala na tayo sa worst airport list at 'yan po ay kailangan natin i-sustain," Monreal said.

NAIA's terminal fees are also lower compared to fees collected in the Philippines’ neighbor countries and some local terminals.

Data from MIAA showed, the terminal fees in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam amount to P1,867, P1,174, and P742, respectively.

Likewise, the terminal fees for domestic flights in Mactan-Cebu International Airport costs P300 while for international flights it costs P850.

The terminal fees for international flights in Clark and Subic Airport amount to P650 and P600, respectively.

"Malayo na tayo sa mga paliparan within Asia and within the region plus ikumpara natin sa local airports tayo ang pinakamababa na terminal fee," Monreal said.

Increasing the terminal fees at the NAIA is also expected to add at least one percent to the airport's revenue.

"If walang increase we are expecting deficit in next couple of years," Monreal said.

The MIAA chief said the terminal fee hike will still undergo several stages before being imposed such as public consultations.

"Makikipag-ugnayan din kami sa airlines para masabihan sila in advance," Monreal said, noting that the terminal fees will be incorporated in plane tickets.

The exemptions of overseas Filipino workers from paying terminal fees will still be maintained despite the planned hike, the MIAA chief said. — LDF, GMA News