Higher terminal fee bid pulled by airlines

Travelers can breathe a sigh of relief as local airlines will no longer pursue the collection of a terminal enhancement fee meant to raise fares, even as they scramble to shoulder the soaring costs of operating at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

- DEXTER BARRO II

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said domestic carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines have unceremoniously dropped their bid to seek terminal enhancement fees.

Last year, the three airlines sought CAB's approval to collect additional fees to address higher costs at the country’s primary gateway.

The airlines proposed a terminal enhancement fee of about P150 for domestic flights and P300 for international flights.

The fee was expected to be listed as a separate charge on top of the base fare, similar to the current setup with fuel surcharge and 12-percent value-added tax (VAT).

Airlines have been paying higher landing and takeoff fees at NAIA since it was handed over to the private sector.