Delay in Terminal 3 Transfer Possible over Terminal Fee Row
Amidst the expected transfer of the operations of five carriers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 in August, NAIA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado says it is possible that their transfer may be delayed.
 |
| Image Source: Wikimedia |
The main reason given by Honrado is that the five carriers expected to move in, Delta Airlines, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Emirates, expressed opposition to NAIA's upcoming move to eventually include the ₱550 (US$12.50 or £7.50) terminal fee in the price of their airline tickets. Such a move would align NAIA's practice of the collection of airport fees with the rest of the world. However, this represents an added burden on the carriers as they will have to remit the terminal fees on the passengers' behalf, as well as update their ticketing systems to reflect this inclusion. In addition, twelve other foreign carriers have expressed opposition to this move. Currently, this move is already implemented for domestic flights departing NAIA. Honrado said that a condition for carriers to transfer to Terminal 3 is for them to agree to implement the new policy; and they may refuse transfer to carriers unable to do so. Honrado added that, "This move is for the interest of the greater majority and we as a nation will not be held captive to their personal gain.”
Carriers are not the only ones expressing opposition and concern over this new policy. The recruitment sector says it was not consulted on its implications for them and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The recruitment sector is said to be one of the largest clients for airline tickets of OFWs. Under existing regulations, OFWs themselves are currently exempt from paying terminal fees, and with the upcoming policy, OFWs will initially be charged the terminal fee in the ticket but can request a refund at a designated desk at the airport. Recruiter Jackson Gan questioned why OFWs themselves should request for the refund of the fees when in fact it is the employers and agencies who pay for their ticket, including the terminal fees.
Terminal 3 has been in partial operations since August 2008. Cebu Pacific and PAL Express were the first tenants of the facility. The facility was nearly completed in 2002 but prolonged litigation by German firm Frapport and its Philippine partner PIATCO against the Philippine Government, as well as other structural defects have delayed its opening by almost six years, and full operation is not yet realised. All Nippon Airways became the first foreign carrier to operate flights out of the facility.
Source: ABS-CBN News and eTurboNews
I saw in the news airline companies signing a document which was held at naia 3 regarding them agreeing on the integration of terminal fees on airline tickets. is this just for show?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a link to the article? If ever that is the case, they did so because they have no choice. But again this underlies how complicated this will be, especially if we talk about the OFWs.
DeleteI Do ... http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/01/14/naia-terminal-fee-be-included-airline-tickets-october
DeleteI suspect it is something else. Last time I was in Terminal 3, the airconditioning was not working well, the moving walkway wasn't working, a lot of work needed to be done inside the terminal, a lot of lights were not working, and the windows were filthy.
ReplyDeleteBut can we expect anything else???
When was that ...
DeleteRecruitment agencies charge Filipino overseas contract workers as much as three months' wages - an outrageous charge.
ReplyDeleteCan't they absorb P550?
I agre - it must be something else such as airline lounges not yet ready or some other building or access problem, such as insufficient aircraft gates (although use of remote stands and buses is always possible).