A consumer group called on the government and the winning airport consortium to stop the looming airport fees hike.
CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Kit Belmonte said in a statement Thursday the group rejects the proposed increase in airport fees, which would only burden customers and discourage tourists and businesses from coming to the Philippines.
“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,” Belmonte said.
“At a time when Filipinos are struggling to cope with soaring prices of basic goods, finding ways to generate additional income, and making sacrifices to make ends meet, the significant increase in airport fees will only translate to more burden to our people. The increase will also be an additional, unnecessary cost that would discourage businesses and tourists from coming and staying here. It will run counter to the administration’s drive to attract investments and visitors,” he said.
Three aviation groups—the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, the Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Council—earlier said that local travelers would soon see an almost 100-percent increase in passenger service charge, or P390 from P200, while international travelers would have to shell out 73 percent more, or P950 from P550.
The aviation groups sent a letter to the Department of Transportation, calling to stop the “unreasonable and unaffordable” proposed fee hikes.
CitizenWatch also questioned the timing of the airport fees hike. “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 said.
“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 said.
“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 said.
