Nation



BY CLIFF HARVEY C. VENZON, Reporter


More than 70 airports nationwide to increase ‘obsolete’ terminal fees




Posted on April 30, 2012


REGULATORS are planning to hike the terminal fees of more than 70 domestic and international airports in a bid to generate funding for their development, an official said.

Abner B. Bondoc, the chief financial officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said the government wants to increase the “obsolete” terminal fees for airports, which are under the CAAP’s watch.

“For instance, the P20 terminal fee in Puerto Princesa have been the terminal fee for the past 20 years, if I am not mistaken,” Mr. Bondoc said in an interview late last week.

“So, we are planning to increase that by P200 or P180. We have conducted the public hearing last April 26,” he said.

Based on the public hearing, Mr. Bondoc said tourists have been asking for improvements in the airports, such as air-conditioning facilities.

Aside from the Puerto Princesa airport, he said the CAAP has also set the hearing schedule for other airports.

“Every airport has a different proposed increase in terminal fee. We are also considering the opinion of the local politicians there while looking at how the purchasing power has changed,” he added.

Mr. Bondoc said there are 82 domestic airports that are under CAAP.

Only the three terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Subic Bay International Airport are not under the CAAP.

Transportation Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II earlier announced that the P550 terminal fee for international flights in Ninoy Aquino International Airport might return to P750 per passenger amid the repairs in the airport, which have been described as one of the worst airports in the world.

Meanwhile, the following are proposed passenger service charges in various locations in the county that have airports:

• Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Romblon, Cuyo (Up to P700 for international flights and P200 for domestic flights);

• Cagayan De Oro, Butuan, Ozamiz, Siargo and Surigao, Camiguin and Iligan, Malabang and Wao in Lanao del Sur (Up to P150 for domestic flights);

• Iloilo, Kalibo, Bacolod, Roxas and Antique (Up to 700 for international flights and P200 for domestic flights);

• Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Ubay and Siquijor (Up to P150 for domestic flights);

• Zamboanga, Dipolog, Pagadian, Sanga-Sanga, Ipil, Jolo and Siocon (Up to P700 for international flights and P200 for domestic flights);

• Davao, General Santos, Cotabato, Tandag, Bisilig, Allah Valley and Mati (Up to P700 for international flights and P200 for domestic flights);

• Legaspi, Naga, Masbate, Virac, Daet, Bulan and Sorsogon (Up to P150 for domestic flights);

• Laoag, Tuguegarao, Basco, Baguio, Cauayan, Itbayat, Palanan, Bigan, Bagabag, Lingayen (Up to P700 for international flights and P200 for domestic flights.);

• Tacloban, Catarman, Calbayog, Ormoc, Biliran Hilongos and Maasin (Up to P150 for domestic flights);

• San Jose, Marinduque, Alabat, Jomalig, Lubang, Plaridel, Mamburao, Iba, Pinamalayan, Wasig, Calapan, Baler (Up to P150 for domestic flights).