Consumer group CitizenWatch Philippines rejects the proposed increase in airport fees that it claims will only burden customers and discourage tourists and businesses from coming to the Philippines. It calls on the government and the winning airport consortium to stop the airport fees hike.
“We urge the government and the winning airport consortium to stop this looming hike. It is a brazen, unconscionable imposition on long-suffering passengers who have had to endure inadequate facilities and substandard service in our airports,” Christopher Belmonte, CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor, said.
The aviation groups Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, the Board of Airline Representatives, and the Airline Operators Council earlier said domestic travelers will soon see the almost 100-percent increase in passenger service charge, or P390 from P200, while international travelers will have to shell out 73 percent more, or P950 from P550.
They had written a letter to the Department of Transportation, urging the agency to stop the “unreasonable and unaffordable” proposed hikes.
CitizenWatch Philippines also questioned the timing of the airport fee increases.
“The new deal promises to improve our airport, but why is the public being made to pay up long before such changes are implemented, and the benefits realized?” Belmonte pointed out.
“We expect our passenger terminals to be fully functional and well-maintained. Our runways, taxiways, maneuvering areas, aprons, aircraft parking areas, and airfield lighting must meet all operational and safety requirements. Global safety and firefighting standards should be maintained and constantly upgraded, as well as power supply, water, communications, navigation, surveillance, transfers, and air traffic management systems. Digital technologies and equipment for efficient operations must be in place,” he explained.
“In short, at a time when NAIA has yet to become a truly passenger-centric premier gateway, the idea of burdening customers with higher fees is simply unacceptable,” Belmonte added.
Aside from passenger fees, the aviation groups said other proposed increases include landing and takeoff fees charged against airlines which are twice more than that at Singapore’s Changi Airport and more than triple of other Southeast Asian airports.
Should these increases push through, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport would be the most expensive airport in Asia, the aviation groups said
“NAIA has been at the center of so many controversies in the past – issues that have tarnished its reputation not only among Filipinos but before the world. A premature fee hike, long before any improvements are experienced and realized, is the last thing our airport, our country, and our people need,” Belmonte said.
