Manila Airport Increases Terminal Fees: Amount and Impact on Overseas Filipino Workers

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has announced that the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will see a significant increase starting September 2025. The new rate for international passengers will be ₱950, a 72% jump from the current rate of ₱550. For domestic departures, the PSC will increase to ₱390.

This decision, mandated by government policy and backed by formal reviews, has attracted legal challenges. A group led by lawyers Joel R. Butuyan and Antonio Gabriel M. La Viña has petitioned a tribunal to block MIAA's revised Administrative Order No. 1 (Series of 2024), which approved the PSC increase. Critics argue that the fee increases could burden ordinary Filipinos, fuel inflation, and lead to job losses.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) acted as a government adviser in reviewing the proposed PSC rates. The new rates, however, remain lower compared to major Philippine airports and are competitive regionally. For instance, the PSC at Singapore's Changi Airport for 2025 is significantly higher, at $32.11, according to ASEAN briefing.

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of NAIA, has been handling over 50 million passengers since taking over operations. NNIC has implemented numerous enhancements at the airport, including renovated restrooms, upgraded air-conditioning, restored elevators and escalators, new gang seating, additional baggage trolleys, improved Wi-Fi and CCTV, widened curbside lanes, a centralised TNVS hub, an OFW lounge, automated parking, a dignitaries' lounge, shuttle buses and ambulances, upgraded employee cafeterias, and a biometric passenger processing system is slated for launch in September.

Moreover, NNIC is clearing waterways around the airport to mitigate flooding risks and ensure safer operations for both passengers and nearby communities. Preparations for Terminals 4 and 5 are underway to increase capacity.

It's worth noting that the PSC increase is not applicable to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Public protests against the privatization and its financial implications have taken place, particularly on Aviation Day.

The exact year when the last increase of the PSC at NAIA was set is not readily available in the search results. However, data suggests that the PSC rates remain below inflation-adjusted levels, estimated at ₱1,300-₱1,400 for international and ₱480-₱520 for domestic, had fees kept pace with inflation since 2000.

In conclusion, the PSC increase at NAIA is a contentious issue, with legal challenges being mounted against it. While the new rates are competitive regionally, critics argue that they could impact ordinary Filipinos negatively. Despite this, NNIC continues to implement improvements at the airport and prepare for the future with the construction of Terminals 4 and 5.

Manila Airport Increases Terminal Fees: Amount and Impact on Overseas Filipino Workers