Cebu Pacific updates NAIA booking system

MANILA, Philippines -  Cebu Pacific has updated its booking systems to allow passengers who are exempt from the terminal fee at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to avail of the benefit regardless of how the flights were purchased from the budget carrier.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said passengers who used the carrier’s mobile app to book flights have been able to enjoy being exempted from paying the P550 terminal fee by ticking a box before booking and payment is processed and confirmed since July 8.

Those who booked flights through the Cebu Pacific reservation hotlines or the website www.cebupacificair.com have been exempted from the terminal fee since April this year.

To verify eligibility for the terminal fee exemption, passengers have to present valid documents upon check-in.

For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), documents that need to be presented include the Overseas Employment Certificate and those included under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s Balik Manggagawa program a valid employment contract, recent payslip, or company ID.

Pilgrims with authorization from the Philippine Sports Commission, and guests who have been issued an exemption certificate by the Manila International Airport Authority are also exempted from paying the terminal fee, provided valid documents are presented.

“Through these system upgrades, we hope to make it easier and more convenient for our OFWs to book flights with Cebu Pacific; and not have to go through a tedious and time-consuming process of reimbursing the NAIA terminal fee that they have been long-exempted from under the Migrant Workers Act,” said Paterno Mantaring Jr., vice president for corporate affairs of Cebu Pacific.

Passengers of Cebu Pacific may also pay for travel tax on international flights amounting to P1,620 when they book their flights through the website or through any Cebu Pacific ticket office.

Those exempt from the tax or are eligible for reduced travel tax can still book, pay and confirm their flights on Cebu Pacific but have to show valid tax exemption documents during check-in.

Cebu Pacific currently has flights to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US.

It has a 61-strong fleet composed of four Airbus A319s, 36 Airbus A320s, eight Airbus A330s, eight ATR 72-500s and five ATR 72-600 aircraft.