Airline tickets to carry terminal fee next month

MANILA, Philippines - The P550 terminal fee at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals will be integrated into airline tickets effective Feb. 1.

In a memorandum to all airlines and concerned stakeholders, general manager Jose Angel Honrado of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the integration of the International Passengers Service Charge (IPSC) was moved from Jan. 15 following the request of some airlines to address operational concerns for the visit of Pope Francis from Jan. 15 to 19.

The IPSC integration was originally set on Oct. 1, 2014 but was moved to Nov.  1, 2014 after the Pasay City regional trial court stopped it.

MIAA finance manager Irene Montalbo said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be refunded the P550 terminal fee paid on airline tickets bought online or abroad.

Montalbo said in open court the circular was never published in a newspaper of general circulation nor was it presented to the petitioners during their consultation meetings.

Judge Tingaraan Guiling ruled that the IPSC integration in airline tickets is unenforceable because of lack of publication.

The memorandum integrating the IPSC in airline tickets honors all exemptions that the law has given to OFWs, Muslim pilgrims endorsed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, athletes endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission and others authorized by the Office of the President.

Exemption at the point of sale shall be subject to the presentation of an exemption certificate duly issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or the MIAA.

Children ages two years and below are also exempted.