Naia parking rate hike jeered; SMC-led group explains

Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — Consumer and transport rights advocates are questioning the substantial increase starting Tuesday in the parking rates at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), calling it unjustified and contrary to public interest.

Effective Oct. 1, overnight or 24-hour car parking fees increased to P1,200 from the current P300. For short-term parking, the fee rose to P50 for the first two hours and P25 for every succeeding hour, from P40 for the first three hours and P15 for every succeeding hour.

Consumers Union of the Philippines (CUP) president Rodel Taton described the new rates as “really high” as it quadrupled the overnight fee and sharply raised the hourly rate.

READ: SMC group all set to take over Naia on Sept 14

“The fact that the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the winning bidder, is prepared to deliver back to [MIAA] 82.16 percent of its gross revenues from its operation of Naia is prima facie indication of the reason why rates that were eventually adopted in the 2024 MIAA revised administrative order were too high, unreasonable, detrimental to the public and against public policy,” Taton said in a message sent to the Inquirer.

MIAA stands for the Manila International Airport Authority.

The group Passenger Forum said the new Naia management should defer the adjustments and hold public consultations first.

Easing traffic congestion

But NNIC, the consortium that recently took over the operations of Naia, defended the new rates in a statement on Tuesday, saying they were needed to reduce congestion and optimize Naia car park operations.

It also clarified that the adjustments, the first in more than a decade, were issued by the MIAA before the airport’s management was handed over to the consortium.

The consortium led by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) also said the previous rates “unintentionally encouraged misuse of the airport’s limited parking spaces.”

“Many individuals, including those from nearby establishments and with no airport-related business, were taking advantage of the low rates for overnight or long-term parking. This created a parking shortage for actual passengers, adding to congestion and frustration,” it added.

The higher rates are expected to discourage nontravelers from using the airport parking space meant for passengers, it said.

No public consultation

“By discouraging long-term and overnight parking, the new rates will reduce the number of vehicles circling the airport to search for spaces, easing traffic flow and improving the overall airport experience,” it added.

Taton also pointed out that vehicle parking was considered by the airport management as a regulated charge for the first two hours, but suddenly it became a nonregulated charge after two hours.

“Absent a transportation plan that focuses on public mass transportation that connects the airport, measures such as this increase in parking fees will just be seen merely as profit-driven,” Passenger Forum convener Primo Morillo told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

Morillo added that his group would seek a dialogue with the new airport management on the matter.

Future rate adjustments

Also expected to increase beginning next year are terminal fees—which were last adjusted about 20 years ago—from the current P200 to P390 for domestic flights, and from P550 to 950 for international flights.

According to a 2024 MIAA order, the passenger terminal fees will be adjusted again in the sixth and 11th years of the 15-year concession period.

If it is extended by another 10 years, adjustments on the fees will be done again in the 16th and 21st year.