Consumer group hits planned airport fees hike

MANILA, Philippines — A consumer group is calling on the government and the winning airport rehabilitation consortium to show proof of improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before asking passengers to pay higher fees.

In a statement, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada at Kuryente (BK3) Convenor Karry Sison said that in rehabilitating NAIA, public interest must prevail. “Airport fees are expected to naturally increase but the promised rehabilitation must be completed first,” Sison said

The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) recently briefed the House committee on flagship projects on the consortium’s rehabilitation plan.

In his presentation, general manager Angelito Alvarez discussed the timeline and scope of the project, including their plans for MIAA workers, who will be absorbed by the NNIC.

Alvarez also admitted that improvements in NAIA would be completed in six years.

Sison then asked why MIAA and NNIC are already implementing airport fees increase, when there are no improvements yet.

“The project is expected to be completed in six years. Therefore, the promised benefits and convenience of a new and modernized airport will not be immediate,” Sison pointed out.

Sison also raised suspicions on MIAA’s Administrative Order 1, which mandates the early increase of fees at NAIA that will affect passenger fees, landing and takeoff charges, and lease rates for all businesses operating within the NAIA complex.

“Highly suspicious is the impending approval of AO 1 ahead of the official September 14 turnover. AO 1 will impose the fees increase in NAIA as a condition stipulated in the NAIA rehabilitation project tender document, which will be implemented by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. Among those included in the increase are passenger fees, landing and takeoff fees, and lease rates of establishments inside NAIA,” Sison said.

Sison called on the government to disclose the details of the NAIA rehabilitation contract to ensure that it is beneficial to the public.