THE Passenger Service Charge, better known as the terminal fee, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is set to go up by almost double in September.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines said the terminal fee will increase starting September 14, 2025 or exactly one year after the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) took over.
The fee will go up to P950 from P550 for departing international flights or an over 70-percent increase. The domestic flight terminal fee almost doubles to P390 from P200 per passenger.
FIRST INCREASE IN 20 YEARS
Ines told ABS-CBN News that it has been a long time since the terminal fee was increased and that it is currently “one of the lowest — if not the lowest — in the Southeast Asian region.”
“It was set by government under MIAA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2024, and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Cabinet. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) as adviser of the Government also reviewed the rates,” NNIC said in a statement.
The private operator asserted that this is the first terminal fee increase in 20 years.
Government touts privatization as a way to extend services without spending public funds, but this comes with concerns of higher fees and decreased service as companies try to profit on their investments.
EXEMPTIONS FOR OFWS, OTHERS
“Exempted pa rin sa terminal fee all legit OFWs, religious pilgrimages especially Hajj and Umrah, sports competitors for international competitions,” Ines said of the fee.
NNIC said the collection of terminal fee also goes directly to airport operations and to improving passenger services.
Transport Secretary Vince Dizon also defended the airport fee hikes saying it was part of the agreement and fee increases are needed.
“Naniniwala kaming lahat na tama ang kontratang ‘yan at kasama na diyan ang pagtaas ng mga fees sa NAIA,” Dizon said earlier.
Some groups like the PUSO ng NAIA or the Pagkakaisa ng mga Users, Stakeholders at Obrero ng NAIA criticized the privatization of the airport which led to several airport fee hikes.
They urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend the privatization contract and roll the fees back.
Apart from terminal fees, passengers flying out of the Philippines also have to pay a travel tax of P1,620 for economy class travelers and P2,700 for those flying first class. (ABS-CBN News)
