New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), said the scheduled adjustment in passenger service charges (PSC) is government-mandated, carefully reviewed, and the first update in over 20 years.
The PSC adjustment, it said, is not an arbitrary increase by NNIC. It was set by government under MIAA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2024, and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Cabinet. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) as adviser of the Government also reviewed the rates. Any winning bidder, NNIC added, would have implemented the same schedule.
Contrary to recent claims, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will not be affected by the PSC adjustment. They remain fully exempt from paying international PSC, as mandated by existing regulations.
“We recognize the sacrifice and contribution of our modern-day heroes. Their exemption from terminal fees continues under the new framework,” NNIC stressed.
On privatization, NNIC said the turnover of NAIA’s operation was the result of a competitive and transparent bidding process, with safeguards to protect the public interest. The PPP model was pursued by government precisely to ensure the needed funds, expertise, and technology are brought in to modernize the country’s primary airport without burdening taxpayers.
Since its turnover in September 2024, NAIA has handled more than 50 million passengers annually — far higher than Cebu (11.3M), Davao (4.2M), Iloilo (2.5M), Clark (2.4M), and Bohol (2.3M) — making its modernization urgent. Despite this scale, NAIA’s PSC remains the lowest among major Philippine airports and among the most affordable in Asia.
Also, the PSC applies only to departing passengers and only once per journey. Even after September 2025, the adjusted rates of P950 for international and P390 for domestic will remain below inflation-adjusted values of P1,300–P1,400 and P480–P520 respectively, had the fees kept pace since 2000.
NNIC also emphasized that collections go directly to airport operations and passenger service improvements. Since the takeover, upgrades delivered include: 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, an OFW lounge with rest areas, automated parking, dignitaries’ lounge, more shuttle buses and ambulances, new employee cafeterias, and biometric passenger processing systems launching this September. Preparations for Terminals 4 and 5, which will increase overall capacity, are also underway. In addition, NNIC continues to clear waterways around the airport to help prevent flooding and ensure safer operations for passengers and surrounding communities.
“The PSC adjustment is a government-mandated, inflation-delayed update, necessary to sustain these improvements and deliver the larger modernization that passengers deserve. 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,” NNIC said.
