The Tourism Department said local airlines agreed in principle to integrate airport terminal fees into airline tickets.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo said the consensus was the result of an industry meeting that took place Thursday—the third consultation attended by Civil Aviation Authority officials and airline executives.
The airlines will collect the domestic passenger service charge, commonly known as terminal fee, as a part of ticket payment in a bid to ease queuing and delays at the airport.
“This one is pursuant to the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. He has mentioned, time and again, the importance of facilitating processes and systems in government. In this case, we are working together with the different airlines and our partner government agencies in making it easier for the traveling public. And we do that by integrating the various fees that are collected,” said Tourism undersecretary for development planning Benito Bengzon Jr..
Bengzon chaired the exploratory talks between the Tourism Department, CAAP and the airlines.
The Tourism Department is giving the integration scheme at least a month’s lead time for the International Air Transport Association to prepare and ensure “the level of acceptance and support would be higher.”
The local air carriers and CAAP board should first agree with the terms and conditions in the memorandum of agreement presented by the Tourism Department, he said.
“Hopefully, once we finalize the memorandum of agreement, we can have the principals all sign the document, and we can make that big announcement, which I am sure the traveling public would appreciate,” Bengzon said.
Local carriers, including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sea Air, Sky Jet, Air Juan and Air Asia are expected to submit the draft agreement in time for CAAP’s board meeting next week.
If approved, the plan would be implemented in all airports under CAAP’s management. There are 81 CAAP terminals, but only 38 terminals have commercial operations and collect terminal fees.
The Tourism Department pushed for the removal of the “processing fee” once imposed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for the issuance of certificates of travel tax exemption and reduced travel tax.