Higher airport fees await Cebuanos

PASSENGERS queuing to take their flights at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). JUNJIE MENDOZA/CEBU DAILY NEWS

LAPU-LAPU CITY—It could soon be more expensive for passengers to use the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the second busiest airport in the country.

Terminal fee for international flights would increase from P550 to P750 and domestic flights from P200 to P300.

If approved by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, an MCIA board resolution issued on July 1 and which seeks the fee increase, would take effect on Oct. 1, or a month before the consortium GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. takes over airport operations and management.

Nigel Paul Villarete, MCIA general manager, said the MCIA hopes to collect the increased fees by Oct. 1 because there are facilities in the airport that would have to be improved but are not covered by the concession agreement with GMR.

He said the airport revenue now is enough only for salaries of personnel after it dropped from P1.5 billion to P500 million yearly as a result of the concession agreement, which leaves to the MCIA the task of maintaining the runway.

GMR handles terminal operation and management.

Villarete said there are several infrastructure projects that would have to be financed by the MCIA. One of these is runway improvement, which would cost P350 million, he added.

Villarete said raising funds for MCIA projects through terminal fees would be a more reliable endeavor than relying on funds from the national government.

“Our experience shows us the disadvantages of (waiting for funds from the national government), resulting in delays and congestion in many of our airports,” Villarete said.

At a recent public hearing, lawyer Jose Bernas asked if the increase was included in the concession agreement between GMR and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Bernas’ law office represented Sen. Sergio Osmeña who filed a case against DOTC to stop the award of the MCIA contract to GMR.

Villarete said the increase was in compliance with the agreement. Under the agreement, GMR is allowed to seek an increase in terminal fees every five years.

During the public hearing, Villarete said portions of the increase being sought by MCIA would go to GMR.

At least P181 of the P300 being sought by MCIA as terminal fee for domestic flights would be for GMR. MCIA would get P76.40.

In the proposed P750 in international terminal fee, P353 would go to GMR Megawide and P143.80 to MCIA.