EDITORIAL - Dampening tourism

Airports give travelers their initial glimpse of a country. For some travelers, an airport stopover gives them their first and only impression of a particular destination. Many countries know the importance of making a good first impression. Over the years these countries have constructed modern, spacious airports and continually upgraded the facilities.  

In this endeavor the Philippines, which is home to Asia’s first airline and which used to have one of the region’s best airports, now lags behind many of its neighbors. Tiny Singapore long overtook the region in providing world-class services at Changi International Airport. Northeast Asian countries as well as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and even Cambodia’s Siem Reap now have airports that are better than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Now compounding the inadequacy of facilities at the NAIA is the feud between airport Customs personnel and foreign carriers belonging to the Airline Operators Council. The AOC is complaining about a Philippine tax slapped only on foreign carriers based on gross receipts, which means long-haul flights with their costlier tickets are charged higher. The tax has left only one European carrier, KLM, still flying directly to Manila, and it is studying whether it should also pull out like the rest.

In addition, the carriers are complaining about being made to shoulder overtime pay for Customs personnel who are required to work beyond 5 p.m. The carriers insist that the pay must be shouldered by the government, which is the practice in other countries. Several months ago the carriers stopped paying for overtime. In retaliation, Customs personnel reduced their staff and generally slowed down work. This has affected not just airline operations but also passengers particularly during the holiday rush.

More direct flights would be a boon to the Philippine travel industry. It would also mean lower costs for exporters and lower fare and shorter travel time particularly for Filipinos working overseas. All these benefits, however, are stuck in the continuing feud between the AOC and airport Customs personnel. The consequences of this feud can dampen tourism more than any plagiarized marketing logo. Decisive government action is needed.