Advocacy group AirportWatchPH has issued a statement addressing rising airline costs and the added burden of fees linked to the ongoing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA | MNL | RPLL) rehabilitation project. As the aviation industry navigates a post-pandemic surge in passenger volumes fueled by “revenge spending,” the organization warns that geopolitical risks and volatile oil prices could exacerbate airfare increases, discouraging potential travelers.
AirportWatchPH expressed support for airline carriers’ calls for immediate government intervention to prevent additional fees from being imposed on passengers. The group emphasized that such charges, introduced during the airport’s rehabilitation phase, place an unfair and undue burden on travelers — especially as the full benefits of the project have yet to be realized.
In its statement, AirportWatchPH acknowledged the efforts of the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) to modernize the country’s main gateway. However, the group criticized the premature imposition of fees, arguing that these go against the principles of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, which are intended to recoup costs only after delivering promised benefits.
“Changes that are seen in the current phase of the project should not justify the premature collection of additional fees and can only be truly acceptable upon the delivery of the full promised impact of the rehabilitation project. Once again, we call for the re-evaluation of Administrative Order 1 (AO1) with the participation of direct stakeholders to align and come up with compromises that will be crucial for the success of the rehabilitation project,” the statement read.
AirportWatchPH also urged a re-evaluation of Administrative Order 1 (AO1), which governs the fee adjustments. They called for a more inclusive approach involving direct stakeholders to ensure that compromises align with the needs of both the traveling public and the aviation industry.
Looking ahead to 2025, the group reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for an accessible, transparent, and equitable aviation sector for Filipinos. It concluded with hopes for safe travels and peaceful skies in the coming year while underscoring the importance of government action to address these pressing challenges.