“FIGURES WILL TELLâ€Â
October 13, 2014, Ninoy Aquino International Airport – Contrary to concerns raised by NGOs and OFW groups over the impending integration of the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) into the cost of airline ticket, the MIAA fully recognizes the law that exempts OFWs from payment of airport fees, subject to presentation of proof of entitlement. That is why a refund mechanism was established for exempted passengers who will buy their tickets either abroad or online.
There is no cause for concern over what has been repeatedly aired by those opposing the integration as figures would tell that there is only a few number of OFWs and others who are exempted that would have to line up for refund.
The public will better appreciate the great benefit that the integration brings to passengers departing from NAIA.
Before integration, all of them will line up, either to pay or validate their exemption certificates:
Total number of departing passengers for the year 2013: 7,671,643M
Total number of passengers who paid terminal fee : 5,621,540M
Total number of exempted passengers : 2,050,103M
OFWs - 1,975,695
Athletes - 3,806
Pilgrims - 5,892
Others - 64,710
After integration, there will be a drastic reduction of people who will line up for refund given the following:
Total number of departing passengers who
will not line up to pay terminal fee : 5,621,540M
Estimated number of exempted passengers who
will buy their tickets locally and will not line up : 1,852,534M
Estimated number of exempted passengers who
will buy their tickets online or abroad and will
line up for refund : 197,569
The 197,569 passengers expected to buy their tickets online or abroad may not even have to line up because according to the POEA, in most cases, the OFW does not pay for the airfare as it is a condition in the employment contract that tickets should be for the account of the foreign employers. Thus, the terminal fee which has been incorporated in the airfare can only be refunded by the foreign employer.
The refund process has no expiration period. It can be done prior to departure at the refund counters in the Terminals or upon return to the Philippines or through a representative to be processed at the MIAA Administration Building, subject to presentation of OEC or exemption certificate.
Terminal 3 is Home to 5 More Foreign Airlines
July 31, 2014, Manila International Airport Authority – MIAA General Manager expressed elation over the forthcoming transfer of five (5) foreign airlines to the NAIA Terminal 3.
As a prelude to their official transfer to NAIA Terminal 3 (NT3) on August 1, 2014, two flights of Delta Airlines are set to arrive tonight in NT3.
“Passengers of Delta Airlines flights DL 629 and DL473 with an estimated arrival time of 2105H and 2145H, respectively, will be deplaning from Terminal 3. We are excited to welcome these passengers as they take their first step on this new Terminal,” Honrado said.
Following Delta Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is set to move in to Terminal 3 on August 4, followed by Emirates Airline on August 15. On the 1st of September, Singapore Airlines will also begin operating their flights in and out of Terminal 3. To complete the list, Cathay Pacific is expected to move in by second week of September.
“We thank these airlines for heeding our call to use Terminal 3 for their operations. Their cooperation plays a vital role for us to achieve our desire to decongest Terminal 1 by some 3 million passengers annually,” Honrado stated.
“All’s well that ends well. Finally, Terminal 3 finally opens its doors to the world,” Honrado gladly stated.
In closing, Honrado urged relatives, friends and well-wishers of passengers arriving and departing on these airlines to take note of the transfer dates to avoid confusion.
The flight information offices of Terminals 1 and 3 may be reached at 877.1109 local 2852 or 765 and 877.7888 local 8144, respectively. Inquiries pertaining to the arrival and departure flights of the five (5) airlines may be directed to these numbers.
Terminal Fee in Airline Ticket in Last Quarter of 2014
TERMINAL FEE IN AIRLINE TICKET IN LAST QUARTER OF 2014
June 12, 2014, NAIA, Pasay City – “It was not easy but everything was worth the wait,†said Jose Angel Honrado, General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
The MIAA just concluded talks with air carriers plying international routes for the integration of the P550.00 International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) or better known as terminal fee, into the price of airline ticketsbeginning October 1, 2014.
The integration will be implemented simultaneously by all airlines and shall also cover passengers transiting Manila to any destination point. The entire process will go through a transition period and is expected to be fully implemented by October 2015, when all tickets purchased/issued prior to October 1, 2014 shall have been flown.
Under the scheme, Honrado explained that the services of the air carriers will be engaged in the collection of the IPSC through its inclusion in the airline ticket. The integration will be by default for tickets purchased online or from ticketing offices and travel agents. Integration will be upon booking or ticket purchase, whether purchased in the Philippines or abroad.
The scheme shall also recognize and honor all exemptions mandated by law, such as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Muslim pilgrims and national athletes endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission. Children ages two years and below are also exempted from the IPSC.
In the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), OFWs comprise 25% of total departing passengers or 99% of total exempted passengers while 1% pertain to Muslim pilgrims and national athletes.
For those exempted, no IPSC will be collected upon presentation and surrender of the exemption certificate, for tickets purchased from ticketing offices/travel agents within the Philippines. However, if bought online or from ticketing offices/travel agents outside the Philippines, the IPSC shall be refunded in Manila upon presentation of a proof of entitlement.
Considered proof of entitlement shall be the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) in the case of OFWs and a MIAA Exemption Certificate for athletes and others. Refund locations will be after immigrations in all NAIA Terminals or at the MIAA Administration office.
Within the month, the MIAA is expected to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the air carriers.
The MIAA collects an average of 8.36 million pesos per day in international terminal fees. For the year 2013, the agency collected a gross of 3..052 billion pesos in international terminal fees with a net share of 1.932 billion.
A total of 7,671,643 international departing passengers passed through the country’s premier gateway in 2013. Out of this figure, 2,054,494 were exempted from terminal fees.
MIAA Runs After “Kalabit Pahingiâ€Â
NAIA, Pasay City, June 18, 2014 – The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in its continuous thrust to make the NAIA Complex safe and secured for travelers, launch an intensified campaign against KALABIT PAHINGI operating in the NAIA Complex.
“Since June 2 to 16, our elite team from the Light Reaction Section (LRS) of the Airport Police Department (APD) apprehended a total of eighty five (85) individuals preying mostly on travelers and wellwishers in the Terminal parking lots, greeters area and major thoroughfares leading to NAIAâ€Â, said Jose Angel Honrado, MIAA General Manager.
APD Chief, Jesus Gordon Descanzo on May 30 crafted an implan and engaged the LRS to neutralize and address the increasing number of KALABIT PAHINGI members and other illegal elements who find their way into the airport complex. Those apprehended were brought to the APD headquarters for character verification and recording. Minors were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development while adults were turned over to their baranggay heads according to Descanzo.
One KALABIT PAHIHGI identified as Maricel Dela Cruz Laraya was inquested by the Pasay City Prosecutors Office for violation of Article 287 paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code, after she kicked, badmouthed and spat on the face of SG Jaymar Delima y Intia of Advance Security Services after the latter prevented the subject from entering Parking A of NAIA Terminal 1.
The intensified campaign against these elusive elements aims to address complaints from airport users who have been victims of their solicitation techniques and “quick click†modus.
MIAA Braces for Rainy Season
MIAA BRACES FOR RAINY SEASON
June 13, 2014, NAIA, Pasay City - Jose Angel Honrado, General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) convened theWeather Disturbance Management Committee (WDMC) following the onset of the rainy season. Honrado as Chairman of the WDMC exercises overall direction and control of procedures during crisis situation.
Included in the meeting are MIAA senior officials and Terminal Managers of NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 (NT1/NT2/NT3/NT4).During the meeting, Honrado specifically directed his Terminal Managers to immediately convene their respective Emergency Response Teams (ERT). “They are mandated under MIAA guidelines on severe and extreme weather disturbances to carry out emergency procedures in their areas of responsibility in accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan. Under the guidelines, the Terminal Manager is the ERT Chiefâ€Â, Honrado explained.
As ERT Chief, the Terminal Manager takes command during Storm Signal No. 2-4 and/or under PAGASA’s yellow, orange and red alert conditions.
The ERT is composed of the following groups with corresponding responsibilities:
Evacuation Group – guides tenants in evacuation to a safe place and holding area. It is led by the Terminal Safety, Operations and Public Affairs groups;
Medical & First Aid Group – renders immediate first aid assistance in case of injuries. It is led by the Medical Division;
Security Group – secures the Terminal premises and and provides crowd control. It is led by the Terminal Police Division;
Facilities Group – ensures that all facilities and equipment remains operational during severe weather conditions.
In the same meeting, the airport chief ordered the Terminal Managers to ensure that target completion dates are met for projects that could pose problems during the rainy season, if left unfinished or if delays are incurred.
“Like in NAIA Terminal 2, we have completed waterproofing works in the domestic portion. We have now moved to the international wing,†the airport chief further said.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation and completion works in other NAIA Terminals are proceeding as planned.