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Lawyers

Supreme Court Asked to Halt Naia Fee Hikes as Petitioners Challenge Legality

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A group of lawyers has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the planned increases in fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), citing concerns over the legality of the Manila International Airport Authority's Administrative Order (AO) No. 1 and the Naia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement. The petitioners argue that the increases, set to go into effect on a specific date, will disproportionately affect over 50 million passengers per year, with 130,000 airline passengers daily impacted by the 72.7% hike in terminal fees. The increases, which include a 95% increase in domestic passenger fees, are part of a concession agreement between the Department of Transportation, MIAA, and New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) that the petitioners claim is unconstitutional and against public policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The petitioners are seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the planned increases in fees at Naia, citing concerns over the legality of the MIAA's Administrative Order No. 1 and the Naia PPP concession agreement.
  • The planned fee increases would affect over 50 million passengers per year, with 130,000 airline passengers daily impacted by the 72.7% hike in terminal fees.
  • The increases include a 95% increase in domestic passenger fees and a 220% increase in landing and take-off fees for aircraft.
  • The concession agreement between the Department of Transportation, MIAA, and NNIC is alleged to be against public policy due to the lack of genuine and meaningful public participation.
  • The petitioners claim that the increases will be passed on to ordinary Filipinos, either directly or indirectly, and could lead to thousands of Filipinos becoming jobless if lessee corporations are unable to pay the increased fees.
  • Similar petitions to nullify the agreement were filed last week by taxpayers, OFWs, and present and former employees of the Philippine Airlines.

Statistics:

  • 50 million: Number of passengers per year expected to be impacted by the fee increases.
  • 130,000: Number of airline passengers daily expected to be impacted by the 72.7% hike in terminal fees.
  • 72.7%: Hike in terminal fees for international passengers.
  • 95%: Increase in domestic passenger fees.
  • 220%: Increase in landing and take-off fees for aircraft.
  • 2024: Year in which the concession agreement was signed, dated March 18.
  • 2024: Year in which the statistics regarding airline passengers and fee increases were gathered.

Sources:

  • (No exact source is provided in the original text; however, the article is attributed to INQUIRER.net)

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