By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Oct 18 (PNA) — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Saturday confirmed that without further delay, the integration of the Php550 terminal fee into the price of airline tickets will happen next month.
“Integration of international terminal fee into airline ticket to push through on November 1,” MIAA said on its official Facebook page Saturday.
To recall, the integration of the terminal fee into the price of airline tickets was initially scheduled October but deferred November this year upon recommendation of a congressman.
The recommendation was made by OFW Party List Rep. Roy Seneres during the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) budget deliberation to give more time for passengers, especially those exempted from terminal fee payment.
DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya himself agreed to the deferment, to adequately inform passengers about the mechanics of implementation.
MIAA Office-in-Charge Vicente Guerzon however assured that this will be the last time integration of the terminal fee will be deferred.
“We expect no further deferments come November 1,” Guerzon said in a statement.
The integration of the terminal fee will be implemented simultaneously by all airlines worldwide and will also cover passengers transiting Manila to any destination point.
It will first go through a transition period until it is expected to be fully implemented by October 2015, when all tickets purchased/issued prior to November 1 this year will have been flown.
Under the scheme, the services of the air carriers will be engaged in the collection of the terminal fee through its inclusion in the airline ticket.
The scheme recognizes and honor all exemptions mandated by law including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Muslim pilgrims endorsed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), athletes endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission and others authorized by the Office of the President.
Exemption at the point of sale is subject to the presentation of an exemption certificate duly issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or the MIAA. Children aged two years old and below are also exempted from the terminal fee. (PNA)