A travelers’ rights group, AirportWatch.PH, has denounced the recent fee increases at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) as a “cash grab,” calling for an immediate suspension of the hikes until infrastructure improvements are made.
Ren delos Santos, spokesperson for AirportWatch.PH, expressed disappointment, stating, “Instead of delivering on its promise to modernize the airport, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented what feels like a cash grab.”
The new parking fees, which took effect on October 1, saw the overnight rate surge from P300 to P1,200, while short-term parking rose from P40 for the first three hours to P50 for the first two hours. The New Naia Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), the airport’s new managing body, justified the increases, saying they are intended to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
Additionally, terminal fees for domestic and international travelers will rise starting September 2025. Domestic travelers will pay P500, up from P200, and international travelers will face a fee of P950, up from P550.
Delos Santos warned that these fee hikes would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses, while also affecting the country’s tourism. “Naia’s management should focus on delivering value rather than extracting revenue,” he said.
The NNIC, led by San Miguel Corporation, took over Naia’s management last September after winning a P170.6-billion bid to rehabilitate the airport.
