Sinabi ng New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), private operator ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), na ang scheduled adjustment sa passenger service charges (PSC) ay “government-mandated, carefully reviewed and the first update in over 20 years.”
Inihayag ni NNIC general manager Lito Alvarez na ang PSC adjustment ay hindi isang ‘arbitrary increase’ dahil ito ay itinakda ng by NNIC.
“It was set by government under MIAA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2024, and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Cabinet. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) as adviser of the Government also reviewed the rates. Any winning bidder, NNIC added, would have implemented the same schedule,”ani Alvarez.
Nilinaw din niya na ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) ay hindi apektado ng PSC adjustment at sila ay hindi kasali sa pagbabayad ng international PSC, ayon sa regulasyon.
“We recognize the sacrifice and contribution of our modern-day heroes. Their exemption from terminal fees continues under the new framework,” ayon kay Alvarez.
Dagdag pa nito: “On privatization, NNIC said the turnover of NAIA’s operation was the result of a competitive and transparent bidding process, with safeguards to protect the public interest. The PPP model was pursued by government precisely to ensure the needed funds, expertise, and technology are brought in to modernize the country’s primary airport without burdening taxpayers.”
“Since its turnover in September 2024, NAIA has handled more than 50 million passengers annually — far higher than Cebu (11.3M), Davao (4.2M), Iloilo (2.5M), Clark (2.4M), and Bohol (2.3M) — making its modernization urgent. Despite this scale, NAIA’s PSC remains the lowest among major Philippine airports and among the most affordable in Asia.
Also, the PSC applies only to departing passengers and only once per journey. Even after September 2025, the adjusted rates of P950 for international and P390 for domestic will remain below inflation-adjusted values of P1,300–P1,400 and P480–P520 respectively, had the fees kept pace since 2000” paliwanag pa niya.
“NNIC also emphasized that collections go directly to airport operations and passenger service improvements. Since the takeover, upgrades delivered include: renovated restrooms, new air-conditioning systems, restored elevators and escalators, new gang chairs, more baggage trolleys, better Wi-Fi and CCTVs, wider curbside lanes, a centralized TNVS hub, an OFW lounge with rest areas, automated parking, dignitaries’ lounge, more shuttle buses and ambulances, new employee cafeterias, and biometric passenger processing systems launching this September. Preparations for Terminals 4 and 5, which will increase overall capacity, are also underway. In addition, NNIC continues to clear waterways around the airport to help prevent flooding and ensure safer operations for passengers and surrounding communities.
“The PSC adjustment is a government-mandated, inflation-delayed update, necessary to sustain these improvements and deliver the larger modernization that passengers deserve. NAIA is the country’s busiest and most complex airport, and we remain committed to ensuring it continues to operate safely, efficiently, and affordably for the Filipino public,” dagdag pa ni Alvarez.
