Naia Fee Increase Draws Strong Opposition
As Aviation Day approaches this Tuesday, the call to stop the looming fee hikes at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) grows louder. Progressive group Pagkakaisa ng mga Users, Stakeholders at Obrero ng Naia (PUSO ng Naia) urged the Supreme Court and the Department of Transportation to intervene and halt the planned increases.
The proposed adjustments come under the Manila International Airport Authority’s Revised Executive Order No. 1, series of 2024. This order sets the passenger service charge, or terminal fee, to rise sharply by 72.7 percent—from ₱550 to ₱950 for international travelers—and by 95 percent—from ₱200 to ₱390 for domestic passengers.
Economic Impact of Naia Fee Increase
Romy Sauler, head secretariat of PUSO ng Naia, warned that the fee hikes will have far-reaching effects on the economy. “Behind every peso of increased charges is a family saving for a ticket home, a worker traveling for livelihood, a student flying for opportunity. These are not abstract numbers — they are people’s lives,” he emphasized.
Community members and local leaders voiced concerns that these increases could burden everyday Filipinos who rely on affordable air travel for work, education, and family reunions.
Questions Surrounding Naia Revenue Projections
Sauler also criticized the San Miguel-led Naia concession deal’s projected revenue of ₱900 billion over 25 years. He described it as “a dream built on the backs of ordinary Filipino travelers.”
“Where will the revenue come from? Where will it go? How much of this will actually be charged to travelers and airport users? ₱900 billion sounds like a dream — but we all know this will come from fees collected from travelers and businesses operating in Naia,” the group’s leader added.
Officials reported that the lack of transparency surrounding the deal obscures the true financial burden that will fall on Filipino passengers, who will face higher costs at every step of their journey.
Current Revenue and Future Projections
Sauler noted that Naia currently averages annual revenues between ₱14 billion and ₱16 billion. This income is derived from passenger service charges, aeronautical fees, rentals, and concession privileges.
To reach the staggering ₱900 billion target, relentless fee increases are inevitable, meaning soaring expenses for workers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and the very people Aviation Day aims to honor by ensuring accessible, efficient, and safe services.
Local leaders stressed the need for government transparency and urged authorities to prioritize the welfare of Filipino travelers over profit. They called on the Supreme Court and Department of Transportation to carefully review and reconsider the fee hikes to protect the public interest.
For more news and updates on Naia fee increase, visit Filipinokami.com.
