THE operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) stressed that the increase in passenger service charges are mandated by the government.
On August 20, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said the passenger service charge hike was set by the government under Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2024, and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Cabinet.
The Asian Development Bank, as adviser of the government, also reviewed the rates, the NNIC added.
“Any winning bidder… would have implemented the same schedule,” the airport operator said.
The NNIC also stressed that the passenger service charge only applies to leaving passengers, and only once per journey.
“Even after September 2025, the adjusted rates of P950 for international and P390 for domestic will remain below inflation-adjusted values of P1,300–P1,400 and P480–P520 respectively, had the fees kept pace since 2000,” it said.
The NNIC also noted that overseas Filipino workers are exempt from paying the international passenger service charge.
The NNIC made this statement as several groups urged the Supreme Court to declare the against the concession contract for the NAIA upgrade between the government and the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) unconstitutional.
The NNIC also stressed that the turnover of NAIA’s operation was the result of a competitive and transparent bidding process.
“The (public-private partnership) model was pursued by government precisely to ensure the needed funds, expertise, and technology are brought in to modernize the country’s primary airport without burdening taxpayers,” it said. (ABS-CBN News)