Public hearing set on proposed increase in airport terminal fee

CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority has set a public hearing next month on the proposed increase in the passenger service charge for both domestic and international flights.

MCIAA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete said the public hearing was scheduled 2 p.m. on October 7, 2014 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Mactan.

Villarete said the public are invited to attend the hearing and express their views on the proposal. Under the proposal, MCIAA will increase the passenger service charge for domestic flights from P200 to P300 while from P500 to P750 for international flights.

Villarete said during the initial public hearing last week that the increase will be used to finance ongoing infrastructure projects of the airport. The passenger service charge is an airport fee imposed on departing passengers and those with connecting flights.

The MCIA board passed a resolution in July seeking an increase in the passenger service charge for domestic and international passengers.  The proposal, based on the resolution, is to raise the terminal fee to at least P250 or more but not exceeding P500 for domestic passengers while P600 to P1,000 for international passengers.

The MCIAA board proposed to start implementing the new rates by October 1, 2014.

Villarete said they have asked the affected stakeholders and sectors to submit their position papers to be included in the discussion by MCIAA board.

The MCIAA, he said, would also conduct a focus group discussion with airport stakeholders to discuss the issues relevant to the proposed increase of P100 for domestic and P200 for international passengers. (FREEMAN)