The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said Wednesday that an upcoming increase in passenger service charges (PSC) is a government-mandated adjustment, not an arbitrary decision by the company.
The PSC increase is the first in over 20 years, NNIC said. It was set by the government under a 2024 administrative order, approved by the Department of Transportation and the Cabinet, and reviewed by the Asian Development Bank, which advised the government. NNIC said that any winning bidder would have implemented the same rate schedule.
Contrary to recent claims, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would not be affected by the PSC adjustment, NNIC said, as they remain fully exempt from paying international PSC under existing regulations.
“We recognize the sacrifice and contribution of our modern-day heroes,” NNIC said in a statement. “Their exemption from terminal fees continues under the new framework.”
The turnover of NAIA’s operation was the result of a competitive and transparent bidding process with safeguards to protect public interest, NNIC said.
The public-private partnership (PPP) model was pursued by the government to secure the necessary funds, expertise and technology to modernize the country’s primary airport without burdening taxpayers.
Since its takeover in September 2024, NAIA has handled more than 50 million passengers annually. This is far higher than other major Philippine airports like Cebu (11.3 million), Davao (4.2 million), Iloilo (2.5 million), Clark (2.4 million) and Bohol (2.3 million), making its modernization urgent.
Despite its scale, NNIC said NAIA’s PSC remains the lowest among major Philippine airports and among the most affordable in Asia.
The PSC applies only to departing passengers and only once per journey. Even after the adjusted rates of P950 for international and P390 for domestic take effect in September 2025, the fees will remain below inflation-adjusted values of P1,300 to P1,400 and P480 to P520 pesos, respectively, had the fees kept pace since 2000.
NNIC also said that collections go directly to airport operations and passenger service improvements. Since the takeover, upgrades have included 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 and an OFW lounge with rest areas.
The company said it has also installed automated parking, a dignitaries’ lounge, more shuttle buses and ambulances, and new employee cafeterias. Biometric passenger processing systems are set to launch this September.
Preparations for Terminals 4 and 5, which will increase overall capacity, are also underway. NNIC continues to clear waterways around the airport to help prevent flooding.
“The PSC adjustment is a government-mandated, inflation-delayed update, necessary to sustain these improvements and deliver the larger modernization that passengers deserve,” NNIC said.
“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,” it said.
