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Lawyers

Supreme Court Urged to Act on Petition against Naia Fee Hikes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Lawyers on Monday petitioned the Supreme Court to temporarily stop looming fee hikes at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), citing what they claim is an "illegal" order and the impact on millions of Filipinos and foreign travelers. The petitioners, led by Joel Butuyan, argue that the Manila International Airport Authority's (MIAA) Administrative Order (AO) No. 1, series of 2024, and the Naia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project concession agreement are unconstitutional and void. The fee hikes, set to take effect on September 14, would see the passenger service charge increase by 72.73 percent to P950 for international passengers and by 95 percent to P390 for domestic passengers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court has been petitioned to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the looming fee hikes at Naia, citing an "illegal" order and the impact on millions of Filipinos and foreign travelers.
  • The petitioners, led by Joel Butuyan, argue that the MIAA's AO No. 1, series of 2024, and the Naia PPP project concession agreement are unconstitutional and void.
  • The fee hikes would see the passenger service charge increase by 72.73 percent to P950 for international passengers and by 95 percent to P390 for domestic passengers.
  • Multiple airport fees and charges have increased since October 2024, including landing and takeoff fees for aircraft, which rose by around 220 percent, and aircraft parking rates, which increased by 255 percent for international operations and 1,433 percent for domestic operations.
  • The petitioners accused the respondents of abusing their discretion, ignoring constitutional and statutory mandates, and evading their duty to provide due process and equal protection.
  • If not restrained, the lawsuit argued, the continued implementation of AO1 and the concession agreement would result in "grave injustice and irreparable damage" to millions of Filipinos and foreign travelers.

Statistics:

  • The passenger service charge would increase by 72.73 percent to P950 for international passengers and by 95 percent to P390 for domestic passengers.
  • Landing and takeoff fees for aircraft increased by around 220 percent since October 2024.
  • Aircraft parking rates for the first half-hour per aircraft up to 50,000 kilos increased by 255 percent for international operations and 1,433 percent for domestic operations.
  • Tacking fees increased by almost 60 percent to $59.18 per hour for narrow-body aircraft and to $88.88 per hour for wide-body aircraft.
  • Airline office leases rose by 90 percent to a minimum of P950 per square meter a month, while leases for ground handlers jumped 50 percent to P1,400 per sqm.

Sources:

  • "Lawyers Urge Supreme Court to Act on Petition against Naia Fee Hikes." (Original source not provided in the original text)

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