Lawyers Seek Temporary Halt on NAIA Fee Increases
A coalition of lawyers has urgently petitioned the Supreme Court to impose a temporary stop on the recent fee hikes at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Their request comes amid ongoing legal challenges to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Administrative Order (AO) No. 1, series of 2024, and the NAIA Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement.
The petition specifically targets the impending 72.7 percent surge in terminal fees, which will raise the cost from ₱550 to ₱950 for every departing international traveler. Domestic passengers will also face a 95% increase, with fees climbing from ₱200 to ₱390 per departure. Community members noted that these fee hikes affect the daily travel of approximately 130,000 passengers, amounting to over 50 million annually based on 2024 data.
Concerns Over Impact on Filipino Passengers and Businesses
Petitioners, including prominent lawyers and law school deans, warned that such increases will inevitably burden ordinary Filipinos. Quoting a prior Supreme Court ruling on NAIA, they emphasized that these fees “will ultimately be passed on to the ordinary Filipino, either directly or indirectly.” They also cautioned that exorbitant charges could force lessee corporations to cease operations, potentially resulting in widespread job losses.
According to sources involved in the case, the petition argues that MIAA’s AO No. 1 and the concession deal awarded to New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) are unconstitutional, illegal, and run counter to public policy. These legal experts highlight that the concession agreement, signed on March 18, 2024, between the Department of Transportation (DOTr), MIAA, and NNIC for NAIA’s rehabilitation, operation, and expansion, lacks genuine and meaningful public participation.
Sharp Fee Increases Since NNIC’s Takeover
Since NNIC assumed control over NAIA’s operations and maintenance, fees, rentals, and other charges have significantly increased despite the government funding the airport’s infrastructure. Officials reported the following notable hikes:
- Landing and take-off fees for aircraft surged by 220%.
- Aircraft parking rates for the first half-hour rose dramatically, with international operations increasing by 1,444% from USD 2.04 to USD 31.5, and domestic operations soaring by 1,433% from ₱26.5 to ₱406.7.
- Tracking fees climbed nearly 60%, from USD 36.9 to USD 59.1 per hour for narrow-body planes, and by 60% from USD 55.5 to USD 88.8 per hour for wide-body aircraft.
- Lease rates for airline spaces jumped 90%, now starting at ₱950 per square meter monthly, while ground handlers face a 50% increase to ₱1,400 per square meter monthly.
- Commercial spaces, including airport lounges, saw lease hikes to a minimum of ₱1,500 per square meter monthly, with some rates exceeding ₱2,500, effectively doubling prices on goods and services since NNIC’s takeover.
Additional Legal Challenges Filed
Last week, taxpayers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and current and former Philippine Airlines employees also filed a similar petition seeking to nullify the concession agreement. This collective legal opposition highlights growing dissatisfaction with the fee increases and the manner in which NAIA’s operations have been privatized.
Community leaders and legal experts continue to monitor the Supreme Court’s response to these petitions, emphasizing the need to protect Filipino passengers and workers from unfair financial burdens.
For more news and updates on NAIA fee increases, visit Filipinokami.com.
