Gov't considering reducing travel taxes, landing fees as air travel hit by COVID-19

The Philippine government is now considering reducing travel taxes in local airports, as the airline industry takes a hit due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla on Monday said local airlines have requested the government to reduce or if not, scrap travel taxes and landing fees.

"Nag-present ang local airlines ng kanilang kahilingan sa gobyerno dahil nga sa dinaranas nila," he told reporters in a press conference in Pasay City.

This comes as local airlines have been taking a hit from the COVID-19 outbreak, which has also had a negative impact on Philippine tourism.

Over 2,500 have already been killed in China, which has reported over 77,000 cases of COVID-19 so far.

"Overall, they're taking a hit, specifically doon sa mga territories na China, Hong Kong, Macau. Malaki ang hit sa ating mga local airlines," said Arcilla.

Arcilla noted, however, that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will not be able to decide on the matter as it has a financial aspect concerning other agencies.

"Pinag-aaralan ito, pero karamihan ay hindi puwedeng i-address ng DOTr. Napupunta 'yan sa TIEZA (Tourism infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority)," he explained. —KG, GMA News