MANILA, Philippines — A planned rollout of airport fee discounts scheduled for this April has come under fire from a prominent group of lawyers, who claim the measure is a “grossly unequal” policy that excludes the vast majority of Filipino travelers.
The controversy stems from the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) recent announcement to slash passenger service charges and navigation fees across 42 airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). However, the discounts do not apply to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which is currently managed by the private consortium New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).
The “80 Percent” Gap
In an urgent motion filed before the Supreme Court, lawyers Joel Butuyan, Antonio La Viña, Soledad Mawis, Roger Rayel, and Jose Mari Benjamin Francisco Tirol pointed out a glaring statistical reality: approximately 80% of the country’s air traffic passes through NAIA.
“This gross inequality and discrimination only serve to highlight yet again the grave unconstitutionality and illegality of the government’s arrangements with the New NAIA Infra Corp.,” the group stated on Monday.
Citing data from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the group noted that NAIA handled over 52 million passengers in 2025 alone. Because the private concession agreement allows for a potential hike in charges rather than a reduction, these travelers will miss out on the relief being felt at smaller regional hubs.
The CAAP-operated airports are set to see significant reductions starting April 1. Under the new schedule:
- International Departure Fees: Dropping from ₱900 to ₱700.
- Domestic Departure Fees: Reducing from ₱350 to a range of ₱150–₱200.
- Aeronautical Fees: Landing and takeoff charges for airlines will be cut by nearly 50%, roughly ₱5,000 per landing.
While these cuts will benefit passengers at 44 minor commercial airports, the lawyers argue that the government is failing its obligation to provide affordable public services for the bulk of the population using the nation’s primary gateway.
The motion is part of a broader push to nullify the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement that handed NAIA’s operations to the private sector in late 2024. The lawyers are urging the High Court to issue a restraining order on the private operations, citing the current economic climate marked by high inflation and an ongoing energy crisis.
The group contends that the privatization agreement effectively allows for a “connivance” that prioritizes business conglomerates over the public’s right to accessible utilities.
As the April 1 deadline approaches, travelers at regional airports can expect lower costs, while those flying in and out of Manila remain in a holding pattern regarding their travel expenses.