Starting September 14, passengers flying out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will see higher terminal fees, but authorities stressed the charges remain the most affordable in Southeast Asia.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), international passengers departing from Terminals 1 and 3 will now pay ₱950, up from ₱550, while domestic travelers will be charged ₱390 instead of ₱200. The increase, the first in two decades, was introduced by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) to help fund major improvements in airport facilities, maintenance, and security.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines pointed out that even with the adjustments, NAIA fees are still lower compared to its regional counterparts. “In Singapore, passengers pay about ₱2,685, followed by ₱1,710 in Phnom Penh, ₱1,530 in Hanoi, ₱1,240 in Bangkok, and ₱1,135 at Japan’s Haneda Airport,” he noted. He added that within the Philippines, Mactan-Cebu International Airport charges around ₱1,030, while Davao, Iloilo, and Kalibo airports collect ₱900.
Certain groups remain exempted, including overseas Filipino workers, religious pilgrims bound for Hajj and Umrah, and athletes competing in international tournaments.
Transport Secretary Vince Dizon earlier defended the hike, saying it was part of the privatization deal with NNIC. However, critics such as the PUSO ng NAIA group warned that the privatization has pushed costs higher and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend the contract and reverse the fees.
The adjustment comes as NNIC marks its first year of managing NAIA, with the new rates approved by the Department of Transportation, the Cabinet, and reviewed by the Asian Development Bank.
