At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. ARCHIVE

Passengers flying out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are now paying higher terminal fees after the first increase in 20 years took effect on September 14. The Passenger Service Charge (PSC), commonly known as the terminal fee, has been raised to P950 for international departures (from P550) and P390 for domestic flights (from P200). According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines, the hike was overdue. “We need to increase the fee because part of it will fund the purchase and maintenance of equipment at the Office of Transport Security,” he told DZMM in Filipino. The increase will also help fund terminal renovations, upgrades at Terminals 1 and 3, and the installation of new e-gates by December, Ines said. The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC), which took over airport operations in 2024, defended the rate adjustment, saying it had been reviewed by the Department of Transportation, the Cabinet, and the Asian Development Bank. For many passengers, the new fees come on top of the travel tax of P1,620 for economy and P2,700 for first class.

Exemptions for OFWs

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) remain exempt from paying terminal fees, along with religious pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah, and athletes competing in international events. “All legit OFWs, religious pilgrimages especially Hajj and Umrah, sports competitors for international competitions are still exempted from paying the terminal fee,” Ines clarified. CAM/Expat Media
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